Marine Renewable Energy
Marine renewable energy is green energy that holds enormous promise for the fossil fuel depleted world. Using the power of the waves to generate electricity has been in practice for long. But the Oyster®, perfected by a UK based firm called the Aquamarine is being touted as the next big player for transforming marine energy into mainstream energy.
What is a Wave Energy Converter?
A Wave Energy Converter is a device that uses the surface or underwater wave pressure to move turbines and generators to create electricity. This has an enormous potential to become the mainstream energy provider as two thirds of the planet is water and at most places deep sea currents are forceful enough to generate adequate energy. The movement of the water can then be used to operate electricity generators using a diversity of techniques and equipment. These include terminators that are perpendicular to the wave motion, point absorbers, over toppers and attenuators, which can be installed near shore, far shore, left floating or simply submerged.
How does Oyster work?
Oyster®, designed by the UK based Aquamarine Power is a breakthrough in wave energy converters that marks the birth of a new approach to green energy. The Oyster is a hydro-electric converter fitted on the sea bed near shore consisting of an oscillator with pistons. The high pressure water pumped by the passing waves is conveyed to run the onshore electrical turbine by a sub sea pipe line. A single oyster is capable of generating 300-600kw of electricity and 10 of them can power a town of 3000 homes. Oyster is so versatile that it continues to produce power even when the sea is very calm or in the midst of storms.
Benefits
-
Reduces dependence on fossil fuels
-
Adds another source of renewable, inexhaustible energy
-
A clean and green energy that does not pollute the environment
-
Extremely cost effective
-
Non toxic and silent
