Oceans: A Big Source of Energy

Posted on 09 August 2009

We know that Ocean is big, and we can avail it in a great extent. Oceans cover a large part of the globe, we can utilize the ocean energy in creating electricity. There are very few power plants of oceans and probably are small. But the main point to think over is how can we get ocean energy?There are three different ways we can use ocean energy, one by using the ocean waves, other by using its low and high tides and the third is by using the different temperatures of the water of the ocean. In this post we will briefly have a look at each method.ocean power

Wave Energy

ocean waves are in motion so they possess kinetic energy. this kinetic energy can be used to power turbine. One example is waves passes through the chamber and pushes the air outside the chamber, this air in motion turns the turbine that motivates the generator. wave ocean As the waves goes down the air that was pushed up returns back into the chamber through doors that are usually closed. Apart from this system, other wave-energy system has piston that powers up with the upside down motion of the waves in a cylinder. This piston can also turn generator on. These systems are not too big, but they are capable enough to light up the light house or warning buoy.

Tidal Energy

Another form of ocean energy is tidal energy. Tidal energy is used in a different way. When the tide enters the shores, the tide water can be trapped in a reservoir in the Dam. when the tide settles down the water can be brought in use as simple in hydro electric power plant.TidalStream_Tidal_Farm_Pic The tidal energy has been consumed for so many years.  The tidal energy was brought in use to move wheels and crop grains. This was made by settling dams over small streams and ocean sides. Larger tides are more beneficial for electricity creation purpose. The difference of 16 feet in high tides and low tides are needed, but this conditions occurs in few places on the earth. many of the power plants are working on this basis like one in France that is capable to create electricity to  light 240,000 homes. This place is known as La Rance station that began its functioning in the year 1966. it is a big station and has power of 10 times more than next tidal power station.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion:

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Ocean thermal energy conversion also known as OTEC, is the formula of using the temperature differences of water of ocean to create electricity. this method is carried on since 1881 when the first French Engineer Jacques D’Arsonval thought if OTEC. The difference of ocean water is well known by the scuba divers, the face that as we go deep in the ocean the water gets colder, it is because surface of water gets warm due to sunlight but the deeper place is very colder. The difference of temperature required is 38 degree Fahrenheit between the warmer and colder surface of water. the method demonstration of OTEC is well shown in Hawaii.

 

 

 

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batool - who has written 49 posts on Renewable Energy.


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