The Pros and Cons of Wave Power
As wind and solar technology has progressed at a rate of knots the poor relation in the world of renewables, wave power, has been slow to make a splash. But with several large-scale developments embracing the 'motion of the ocean' could this ultra-clean form of energy finally be ready to surge into life?
How does wave power work?
“Saltwater is a hostile environment for devices, and the waves themselves offer a challenge for energy harvesting as they not only roll past a device but also bob up and down or converge from all sides in confused seas,” say the Guardian. “This provides enticing opportunities for energy capture, but a challenge for optimum design.” Indeed, so let's take a look at a few of the working examples that are braving the elements.
Pelamis Wave Power have designed a floating system consisting of five tube sections, linked by universal joints, which flex in two directions and face the onrushing waves. They say, “As waves pass down the length of the machine and the sections bend in the water, the movement is converted into electricity via hydraulic power take-off systems housed inside each joint of the machine tubes, and power is transmitted to shore using standard subsea cables and equipment.”
Ocean Power Technologies' (OPT) 'smart' oceangoing buoys are designed to “capture and convert wave energy into low-cost, clean electricity.” The ensuing up and down motion caused by passing waves is converted “via a sophisticated power take-off” to drive an electrical generator and the resultant electricity is syphoned back to shore through underwater power cables.
Submerged Wave Energy Converter Technology
M3 Wave's submerged DMP device converts wave pressure into electricity from a fixed position on the sea floor. Put simply, a wave passes over the structure, raising the pressure and forcing air through an air turbine into an air chamber. That air movement causes a turbine to spin, which in turn drives an electrical generator and hey presto – electricity.
What are the advantages of wind power?
The U.K. government predicts as much as 75 percent of its energy needs could be sourced from the waves and tides combined. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Energy, estimates that enough electricity to feed a quarter of all U.S. electricity consumption – 1,170 terawatt-hours per year – could be derived from the waves. Pelamis Wave Power suggest, “It is a clean and renewable energy source and its potential is huge.”
What are the disadvantages of wind power?
It will come as no surprise that money is the main impediment threatening to sink ambitions. Whilst the emerging players perfect the technology thanks to piecemeal government funding, it won't be until major renewables manufacturers – like Siemens and General Electric – wade into the fray that the technology will roll out en masse.
Where is wave power being deployed?
Slowly but surely small-scale wave farms are beginning to take float. There is Pelamis Wave Power’s off the coast of Northern Portugal, M3 Wave's installation just off the Oregon coast, and Carnegie Wave Energy's three giant buoys near Perth, which is predicted to feed into the Australian grid by the end of the year.
Damp squib or crest of a wave?
Jason Busch, executive director of non-profit group Oregon Wave Energy Trust senses that the tide is beginning to turn in favour of wave power.
“In the course of 10 years we have gone from having zero wave energy technologies that are even remotely viable to having several in the water, and on the cusp of commercial viability,” he told the Guardian. “We’re making some really good progress.”
Get the latest process industry news
Interested in receiving even more industry-leading news from Process Industry Forum delivered directly to your inbox? Then sign up to our free newsletter. Bringing you the latest news, trends, innovations and opinion from across the process industry, our exclusive newsletter gives you all the industry insights of the moment in one, easy-to-digest bulletin. Stay ahead of the competition with regular process industry news instalments from PIF.
Kwa sababu ya maendeleo ya teknolojia ya upepo na jua, jamaa maskini katika ulimwengu wa nishati mbadala, nguvu ya mawimbi, imekuwa polepole kufanya splash. Lakini kwa maendeleo kadhaa ya kiwango kikubwa yanayoshikilia 'harakati ya bahari' je, mwishowe aina hii safi sana ya nishati inaweza kuwa tayari kuibuka kuwa uhai? Nguvu za mawimbi hufanyaje kazi? "Maji ya chumvi ni mazingira ya uhasama kwa vifaa, na mawimbi yenyewe hutoa changamoto kwa ajili ya mavuno ya nishati kama wao si tu roll nyuma ya kifaa lakini pia bob juu na chini au converge kutoka pande zote katika bahari kuchanganyikiwa, "kusema Guardian". "Hii hutoa fursa za kuvutia kwa ajili ya kukamata nishati, lakini changamoto kwa ajili ya kubuni bora. " Kwa kweli, hivyo hebu kuchukua kuangalia baadhi ya mifano ya kazi ambayo ni braving mambo. Pelamis Wave Power imebuni mfumo wa kuelea unaojumuisha sehemu tano za bomba, zilizounganishwa na viungo vya ulimwengu, ambazo hujipinda katika pande mbili na kukabiliana na mawimbi yanayovuma. "Kama mawimbi kupita chini ya urefu wa mashine na sehemu bend katika maji, harakati ni kubadilishwa katika umeme kupitia hydraulic nguvu kuchukua-off mifumo iliyoko ndani ya kila pamoja ya mashine mabomba, na nguvu ni kupitishwa kwa pwani kwa kutumia kawaida chini ya bahari cables na vifaa. ""Ocean Power Technologies"" (OPT) ""smart"" ocean boats ni iliyoundwa kwa ajili ya ""kukamata na kubadilisha mawimbi nishati katika gharama nafuu, safi umeme.""" Teknolojia ya kubadilisha nishati ya wimbi la maji ya M3 ya DMP ya M3 ya Wimbi ya maji ya DMP ya DMP ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 ya M3 Kwa ufupi, wimbi hupita juu ya muundo huo, likiongeza shinikizo na kulazimisha hewa kupitia turbine ya hewa kuingia ndani ya chumba cha hewa. Harakati hiyo ya hewa husababisha turbine kuzunguka, ambayo kwa upande huendesha jenereta ya umeme na hey presto <unk> umeme. Ni faida gani za nishati ya upepo? Serikali ya Uingereza imedai kuwa asilimia 75 ya mahitaji yake ya nishati yatatolewa kutokana na mawimbi na mawimbi ya bahari. Idara ya Nishati ya Marekani inakadiria kuwa umeme wa kutosha kwa ajili ya kuandaa robo ya matumizi yote ya umeme nchini Marekani - 1,170 terawatt-saa kwa mwaka - unaweza kupatikana kutoka kwa mawimbi. Pelamis Wave Power inapendekeza, <unk>Ni chanzo safi na mbadala cha nishati na uwezo wake ni mkubwa.<unk> Ni nini hasara ya nishati ya upepo? Haishangazi kwamba pesa ndizo kizuizi kikuu kinachotishia kuharibu tamaa za kimapenzi. Wakati wachezaji wanaojitokeza wanakamilisha teknolojia hii kwa msaada wa fedha za serikali, haitakuwa mpaka watengenezaji wakuu wa nishati mbadala kama vile Siemens na General Electric kuingia katika mapigano ambayo teknolojia hiyo itaanza kutolewa kwa wingi. Nguvu za mawimbi zinatumiwa wapi? Polepole lakini kwa uhakika mashamba madogo ya mawimbi yanaanza kuenea. Pelamis Wave Power, ambayo ni moja ya makampuni ya umeme ya Australia, imewekwa katika eneo la karibu na pwani ya Oregon, na Carnegie Wave Energy, ambayo inatarajiwa kuingizwa katika gridi ya Australia mwishoni mwa mwaka huu. Je, ni mwamba wenye unyevunyevu au mwinuko wa wimbi? Jason Busch, mkurugenzi mtendaji wa Oregon Wave Energy Trust, anasema kuwa hali ya hewa ya bahari ya bahari ya bahari ya bahari ya bahari ya bahari ya bahari ya bahari ya bahari ya bahari ya bahari ya bahari ya bahari ya bahari ya bahari ya bahari. "Katika kipindi cha miaka kumi tumetoka kuwa na teknolojia ya nishati ya mawimbi ya sifuri ambayo ni hata ya mbali inayofaa kuwa na kadhaa katika maji, na kwenye kilele cha ufanisi wa kibiashara, ""aliambia Guardian." Tunafanya maendeleo mazuri sana. Kupata habari za hivi karibuni za sekta ya mchakato Unavutiwa kupokea habari zaidi za sekta kutoka kwa Mkutano wa Sekta ya Utaratibu zinazotolewa moja kwa moja kwenye sanduku lako la barua? Kisha jiandikishe kwa jarida letu la bure. Tunakupa habari za hivi karibuni, mwenendo, uvumbuzi na maoni kutoka kwa sekta ya mchakato, jarida letu la kipekee linakupa ufahamu wote wa tasnia ya wakati huu katika jarida moja rahisi. Kuendelea mbele ya ushindani na mara kwa mara mchakato wa sekta ya habari vipindi kutoka PIF.