wave power - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

philba · 20th April 2007, 04:15 PM

It's far from utopian but one more interesting way to generate electricty
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science...ve-power_N.htm

I'd bet the two major complaints will be:
- ecological damage
- construction costs

CheapSlider · 21st April 2007, 12:50 AM

There does appear to be scope with the idea and several trials have been made over the last 30 yrs or so.

The main issues have been:
efficiency - if below a certain threshold then it's not worth the effort
reliability - has to be low maintenance
durability - can it withstand a battering from a storm ?
cost - will there be a return on investment ?

It does appear more attractive then wind, where backup capacity is needed in case of no wind.

Tidal power seems attractive due its predictability, but there are massive construction costs and environmental impact. Also the tides can't provide power continuously.
There has been a tidal barrage power plant at Rance estuary in France since 1966.

Hero999 · 21st April 2007, 10:07 AM

Tidal power seems the best way of harnessing energy from the sea. Wave power seems like a waste of time.

Pommie · 21st April 2007, 02:28 PM

Out of pure curiosity, where does tidal power come from? As the energy has to come from somewhere, what will loose energy. Will the moon slow down? Earth slow down? Moon speed up? Earth speed up.

My vote goes with, moon speeds up.

Mike.

Hero999 · 21st April 2007, 03:06 PM

Why would the moon speed up?

**Nigel Goodwin** · 21st April 2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hero999

Why would the moon speed up?

Because it will get closer, so automatically speeds up as it's then in a lower orbit - lower the orbit, faster the speed!.

However, using tidal power won't have any effect on this, just the gravitational attraction between the earth and moon.

Hero999 · 21st April 2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Because it will get closer, so automatically speeds up as it's then in a lower orbit - lower the orbit, faster the speed!.

True if you increased the energy in the system that would happen, but if you removed energy from the system the moon would slow down and the orbit would get larger.

Quote:

However, using tidal power won't have any effect on this, just the gravitational attraction between the earth and moon.

I agree.

Oznog · 22nd April 2007, 12:17 AM

The energy comes from the kinetic energy of the moon's velocity relative to the earth. The moon will slow down and assume a closer orbit.

This has been happening since the moon was formed. The effect is quite small since the moon is such a huge mass. Furthermore, harnessing tidal power has no additional effect. The water will be lifted and fall back regardless of whether the energy is captured by man or not.

Pommie · 22nd April 2007, 06:03 AM

The moon will speed up. This is due to the tide acting as a brake between the earth and the moon. The earth rotates at 1 rev per day, the moon at 1 rev per month. The brake effect will cause the moon to speed up and the earth to slow down. Eventually the moon will be fast enough to leave earth orbit. Thankfully, I won't be around when that happens. The rather surprising fact is that tidal energy does not come from the moon at all but instead comes from the earths spin.

Mike.
edit, actually the moon won't leave earth orbit, it will stop accelerating when the earth and moon rotate in unison once every 47 days!! See here for more info

Oznog · 23rd April 2007, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pommie

The moon will speed up. This is due to the tide acting as a brake between the earth and the moon. The earth rotates at 1 rev per day, the moon at 1 rev per month. The brake effect will cause the moon to speed up and the earth to slow down. Eventually the moon will be fast enough to leave earth orbit. Thankfully, I won't be around when that happens. The rather surprising fact is that tidal energy does not come from the moon at all but instead comes from the earths spin.

Mike.
edit, actually the moon won't leave earth orbit, it will stop accelerating when the earth and moon rotate in unison once every 47 days!! See here for more info

Ooops you're right! The moon will speed up, the earth slows down.

philba · 23rd April 2007, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hero999

Tidal power seems the best way of harnessing energy from the sea. Wave power seems like a waste of time.

the problem with tidal power is that it will cause significant [perceived] ecological impact. even a small change in the average water level will have impact on any species in the inter tidal zones. Constructing a man-made lagoon to harness the power will be expensive. I think in many countries, tidal power would be politically untenable.

Why do you think wave power is a waste of time? Unlike tidal power, it is fairly continuous and can be deployed in smaller, incremental units. Please expound on your point.

Tim_B · 13th May 2007, 08:46 PM

An advanced wave energy system being tested now

http://www.oceanpd.com/default.html

Sceadwian · 13th May 2007, 09:30 PM

Mmmm, sea water and electricity, wonderful combination!

philba · 17th May 2007, 05:50 AM

well, some smart people seem to think it's possible.

by the way, I saw a story about tidal generators in the lower Hudson River, it was short on details but seemed to say they are using underwater turbines "just like windmills underwater". I assume it wasn't a literal statement.

**Nigel Goodwin** · 17th May 2007, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philba

well, some smart people seem to think it's possible.

by the way, I saw a story about tidal generators in the lower Hudson River, it was short on details but seemed to say they are using underwater turbines "just like windmills underwater". I assume it wasn't a literal statement.

It's certainly possible, there are a number of tide and wave power generators all over the world.

20th April 2007, 04:15 PM	(permalink)
philba Experienced Member	wave power It's far from utopian but one more interesting way to generate electricty http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science...ve-power_N.htm I'd bet the two major complaints will be: - ecological damage - construction costs

21st April 2007, 10:07 AM	(permalink)
Hero999 Experienced Member	Tidal power seems the best way of harnessing energy from the sea. Wave power seems like a waste of time. __________________ What's so bad about Microsoft? Get Opera it's simply a superb browser.

21st April 2007, 03:06 PM	(permalink)
Hero999 Experienced Member	Why would the moon speed up? __________________ What's so bad about Microsoft? Get Opera it's simply a superb browser.

22nd April 2007, 12:17 AM	(permalink)
Oznog Experienced Member	The energy comes from the kinetic energy of the moon's velocity relative to the earth. The moon will slow down and assume a closer orbit. This has been happening since the moon was formed. The effect is quite small since the moon is such a huge mass. Furthermore, harnessing tidal power has no additional effect. The water will be lifted and fall back regardless of whether the energy is captured by man or not. __________________ I thought what I'd do was I'd pretend I was one of those deaf-mutes.

22nd April 2007, 06:03 AM	(permalink)
Pommie Experienced Member	The moon will speed up. This is due to the tide acting as a brake between the earth and the moon. The earth rotates at 1 rev per day, the moon at 1 rev per month. The brake effect will cause the moon to speed up and the earth to slow down. Eventually the moon will be fast enough to leave earth orbit. Thankfully, I won't be around when that happens. The rather surprising fact is that tidal energy does not come from the moon at all but instead comes from the earths spin. Mike. edit, actually the moon won't leave earth orbit, it will stop accelerating when the earth and moon rotate in unison once every 47 days!! See here for more info Last edited by Pommie; 22nd April 2007 at 06:10 AM.

21st April 2007, 12:50 AM	(permalink)
CheapSlider Experienced Member	There does appear to be scope with the idea and several trials have been made over the last 30 yrs or so. The main issues have been: efficiency - if below a certain threshold then it's not worth the effort reliability - has to be low maintenance durability - can it withstand a battering from a storm ? cost - will there be a return on investment ? It does appear more attractive then wind, where backup capacity is needed in case of no wind. Tidal power seems attractive due its predictability, but there are massive construction costs and environmental impact. Also the tides can't provide power continuously. There has been a tidal barrage power plant at Rance estuary in France since 1966.

21st April 2007, 02:28 PM	(permalink)
Pommie Experienced Member	Out of pure curiosity, where does tidal power come from? As the energy has to come from somewhere, what will loose energy. Will the moon slow down? Earth slow down? Moon speed up? Earth speed up. My vote goes with, moon speeds up. Mike.

13th May 2007, 08:46 PM	(permalink)
Tim_B Experienced Member	An advanced wave energy system being tested now http://www.oceanpd.com/default.html

13th May 2007, 09:30 PM	(permalink)
Sceadwian Experienced Member Blog Entries: 1	Mmmm, sea water and electricity, wonderful combination! __________________ Curiosity killed the cat; That's why they have nine lives.

17th May 2007, 05:50 AM	(permalink)
philba Experienced Member	well, some smart people seem to think it's possible. by the way, I saw a story about tidal generators in the lower Hudson River, it was short on details but seemed to say they are using underwater turbines "just like windmills underwater". I assume it wasn't a literal statement.

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