Exploring Underwater Ocean Current for Energy

As fuel costs continue to rise, exploring underwater ocean current for energy is an attractive alternative. The power of the currents in the ocean offer limitless sources of renewable, green, and clean power. Despite the huge potential, the technology required to convert tidal waves to electricity is experimental and still in development.

There are programs around the world that demonstrate the potential that exists in marine power which can someday make a great contribution to the power grids of our major cities. Underwater turbines turn with the current producing electricity. Depletion of natural resources, global warming, pollution and distribution of resources all make tidal power a much needed alternative resource.

The kinetic energy of the moving water is used powering underwater turbines in a tidal stream system. These are either suspended or anchored to the ocean floor and act like windmills using the moving water to rotate a generator. This is connected by cables to land-based power grids much like power lines are done now. The best location is the mouth of a river or bay or in between islands where water flow is rapid.

Solar and wind technologies have been around for decades but tidal stream technology has advantages. Tides are predictable and water density is greater than wind. One generator can create more electricity than wind can at a lower speed. It is more efficient and the turbines are smaller than those used in wind turbines.

Pilot programs are in effect at different coastal locals around the world, in 2008 Ireland began the first such system in Northern Ireland at Strangford Lough. When it is at full capacity it will produce 1.2 megawatts of power, enough to power nearly 1,000 houses. There are plans for British Colombia, Canada which will produce enough power to feed 140,000 houses. And in the United States on New York's East River there are turbines installed. The world's longest running collection of turbines that are grid-connected is the Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy project which is expected to produce commercial resources in the very near future. Exploring underwater ocean current for energy is an emerging alternative that has tremendous potential.

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