The first operational wave energy generator went on line in Scotland this past week. The hydro-electric device was connected from the ocean to the electricity grid in Scotland off the coast of Orkney.
Oyster operating in Scotland.
The Oyster hydro-electric device is a hydraulic pump developed by Aquamarine Power. The Oyster is a device that operates through a hinged flap, where a large metal piece moves back and forth from the motion of the waves. The movement moves a hydraulic piston that pumps water underground to a hydro-electric turbine that drives a generator to make electricity. The Oyster’s peak power output is two megawatts. There currently is only one Oyster device hooked up to the electric grid. Aquamarine Power plans on having twenty of these devices off the coast of Scotland. Twenty Oyster’s can produce enough electricity to power 9,000 homes. The pump device is simple in its design, and its primary components such as gear boxes and generators, are not exposed to water. The Oyster device is attached to the seabed at about 30 feet of water. In the U.S., the Seadog Pump uses a similar approach of pumping water offshore to a hydro-electric turbine. There currently are no operational Seadog pumps in the U.S. There is an effort to establish an ocean power test center off the coast of Massachusetts. If our country plans on leading in renewable energy solutions, then we need to start building prototype green power plants. Instead of spending dollars on stimulating local economies, we need to spend to on creating the next generation of clean renewable energy. Government can play an active role in this. Right now it seems that private interests are pushing the green envelope. While there is nothing wrong with private initiatives, the largeness of government, could easily accelerate our transition from fossil fuels to clean renewable energy. On a more personal note, we wish you and your family a most excellent Thanksgiving holiday. Hopefully, you will have a long weekend to enjoy it.
John Vlahakis
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