Category: Hydrokinetics

Even though it’s experiencing appreciable economic and political uncertainty, Brazil doesn’t seem to waver too much in its profound commitment to renewable energy.  The vast majority of the 1.8 GW installed last year was wind energy, and, while I’m a …

Run-of-River Hydro in Brazil: An Opportunity Available for the Taking Read More »

Tagged with: , , , , , ,

I have to give this guy credit for thinking outside the box.  Here’s his patent for converting the mechanical energy from falling raindrops into electricity. Will it work?  Sure.  Does it represent a potentially cost-effective solution in the renewable energy …

Unique Approach To Hydrokinetics: Harvesting the Energy of Rain Read More »

Tagged with: , ,

A fellow wrote to me just now to say that, as a high school student, he had become aware of the force of siphoned water, and came to understand that by “using two ponds, (he) could turn a water turbine …

Quick Discussion on Hydrokinetics Read More »

Tagged with: , , ,

Needless to say, there is a huge demographic match-up between devotees of renewable energy and lovers of eclectic music (folk, blue grass, blues, reggae, etc.), plenty of which was on tap at this year’s Live Oak Festival from which I …

Lots of Joy and Kindness at the Live Oak Music Festival Read More »

Tagged with: , , , , ,

In response to my piece What Will Become of Most Renewable Energy Concepts? a reader notes:  Ocean energy conversion is fascinating and is doable. Yes, ocean energy conversion, in each of its many forms (ocean current, tidal, wave, ocean thermal, etc.) is …

Comment on Ocean Energy Conversion Read More »

Tagged with: , ,

A reader with a business plan for a wave energy device asks: In all honesty, do you think that my language is ”too slippery” and as such may creates more trouble than it’s worth in trying to convey? Good question.  …

Business Plans Need To Respect Readers’ Intelligence and Value Their Time Read More »

Tagged with: , , , , ,

In the course of a given month, I’m sure I contradict myself at least once or twice regarding the hope that ocean wave energy can come to play a prominent role in the unfolding world of renewables.  Let’s put it this …

New Approach To Ocean Wave Energy Read More »

Tagged with: , , ,

Here’s an approach to extracting the energy from ocean waves whose inventor asks my opinion. I love looking at new ideas. Here goes: Will this generate electricity? Certainly. Will it provide a viable approach to solving the problem of cost-effective …

Novel Approach to Ocean Wave Energy Read More »

Tagged with: , , ,

A colleague sent me this piece on a Dutch company’s introduction of a floating apparatus that generates electricity from tidal currents (pictured), and asked for my opinion. Here goes: I admit that this device offers an advantage over those that …

New Concept in Ocean Current Hydrokinetics Read More »

Tagged with: , , ,

A colleague of mine is hard at work developing a solution for ocean current hydrokinetics, and I happen to believe that his approach is the best and most cost-effective method of all those that I’ve reviewed over the years.  He …

Ocean Current Hydro Project Faces Political Hurdles Read More »

Tagged with: , , ,