I’m on the receiving end of a constant barrage of press releases that boast breakthroughs in every conceivable flavor of renewable energy. And, as much as I hate to be cynical, I have to believe that most of this stuff …
Category: Hydrokinetics
Hydro and Solar PV Have Different Levels of Visceral Appeal
I’m having discussions with a start-up in the New England section of the U.S. that offers a unique approach and capability to hydrokinetics; they’re interested in having my team and me deliver a set of “biz dev” actions aimed at …
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Generating Energy from Ocean Waves: Rough Surf
I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve responded to an inventor: “Will it generate electricity? Yes. Will it do so cost-effectively? Not in a million years.” Here’s the poster child for this phenomenon. If anything like this …
A Fond and Sorrowful Goodbye to Tidal Energy
Here’s a question I was asked earlier today. If the average ocean depth is two miles, and 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water, that means that there are tens of millions of cubic miles of water bobbing …
Populating the 2GreenEnergy CleanTech Conference Calendar
I make go/no-go decisions re: attending conferences the way anyone else does. I’m motivated to go if: • I’m invited to speak • It’s close, i.e., a drive as opposed to a plane ride
Renewable Energy in Brazil
My friend Bob Huff (of Brazilian run-of-river hydro fame) sent me this incredible piece on the status of the migration to cleantech in Brazil. I respond: This is a wonderful production; I’m really impressed with the idea and its execution, …
From Guest Blogger Brooke Chaplan: What's Changing in Hydro Energy with California's Drought?
(The language used in the diagram here is Estonian. – ed) Today we are all aware of the longstanding water shortage in California that threatens crop production and can lead to restrictions on commercial and domestic use of water. What …
Helping Hand for Hydrokinetics
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 …
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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