English
Bulgarian
Svenska
Español
Română
Italiano
ENERGY-WISE E-LEARNING COURSE
Marine
Marine energy comes from two main sources, waves (originating from solar energy) and tides (resulting from the gravitational pull of the moon and sun).
Wave and tidal energy devices convert the oceans’ movement into electricity that is carried to shore using undersea cables and connected to the electricity grid.
Wave energy
It consists in the movements of water near the surface of the sea and is in general originating from solar energy.
Waves are formed by winds blowing over the surface and the water acts as a carrier for the energy. The amount of energy in each wave depends on its height and period (the time between successive peaks).
The annual average power per unit in length of wave crest (e.g. 40 KW/m) is a good first indicator representing how much energy is available at a particular site. Systems to convert wave energy into electricity can be located at deep water sites (offshore) or built into the coast line (near shore or shoreline).
They vary in size from very large systems installed on their own, to smaller ones grouped into farms or arrays.
Tidal energy
It can be grouped into two types, tidal stream and tidal range.
Tidal stream energy results from large bodies of water moving around the ocean due to the gravitational pull of the sun and the moon.
As water passes around peninsulas and through restrictions such as the channels between islands and the shore it accelerates, providing a potential source of energy. The amount of energy it is possible to extract depends on the speed of the flowing tidal stream ( the ‘mean spring peak velocity’ is a good indicator of this). Systems to convert tidal stream energy take various forms, the most common extraction devices can be thought of as underwater wind turbines.
Tidal range systems use energy from the rise and fall of the tide in estuaries and bays. The larger the difference between high and low tide is, the more attractive the site will be.
LATEST NEWS
Carbon Trust launches new business to help UK companies go green and reduce energy costs
Wed, 11/23/2011 - 17:48 — lidiabombin
New survey shows majority of companies expect double-digit rise in energy prices over the next three years
The Carbon Trust just launched a new business to help UK companies reduce their energy costs and install greener, more efficient technology. The launch comes as a new survey by the Carbon Trust has found that 76% of companies are more concerned than they were six months ago by rising energy costs and are very concerned about its impact on their business. Over half are expecting energy price rises of at least 11% over the next three years.
What is the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme?
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 16:20 — SarayMinisters have revealed they "tinkered around" with a controversial new £500m per year green tax on businesses, despite previously promising that they would overhaul the complex scheme; here, we look at what the tax is and who has to pay it.
British Gas price rise 'could be announced tomorrow'
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 16:11 — Saray
The company hinted on Tuesday that it might raise prices "within weeks", and experts predicted that an announcement of a 20pc rise in the cost of gas could come as soon as Friday.
