Those keeping track of the development of hydrokinetics (including tidal, ocean current, wave energy, etc.) will be interested to know that the U.S. Department of Energy is shelling out $7.4 million to encourage R&D in this space. As long as …
Category: Hydrokinetics
Run-of-River Hydro in Brazil: An Opportunity Available for the Taking
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 …
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Unique Approach To Hydrokinetics: Harvesting the Energy of Rain
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 …
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Quick Discussion on Hydrokinetics
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 …
Lots of Joy and Kindness at the Live Oak Music Festival
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 …
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Comment on Ocean Energy Conversion
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 …
Business Plans Need To Respect Readers’ Intelligence and Value Their Time
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. …
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New Approach To Ocean Wave Energy
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 …
Novel Approach to Ocean Wave Energy
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 …
New Concept in Ocean Current Hydrokinetics
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 …
