How and Where to Submit Ideas for Energy Production

Thank you RDGRNR! What I showing is only the first part and a very basic concept to the overall program! Unless the basics are feasible, my more complicated ideas would be a waste!

Wave and Tide Power

For many years people have been attempting to invent a feasible way to harness the massive power available in ocean waves. Though I cannot document it, I remember hearing that a three or four foot wave having a surface length of 100 feet could power a small town for an unexpected amount of time that I cannot remember!

The thought pattern of those presently studying wave energy appears to be aimed toward harnessing the undulating action of waves to generate usable energy. At the site:

http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Ocean_Wave_Energy

Ocean Energy Potential - Ocean energy is mostly in an experimental stage but some of its component technologies have the potential to become mainstream energy sources and are now being trialed. Elementary primer on three basic ways to tap the ocean for its energy. We can use the ocean's waves, we can use the ocean's high and low tides, or we can use temperature differences in the water. (EnergyBusinessReports; June 25, 2007) [Don't forget current and salt/fresh mixing.]

The general principle of operation, "it floats along the surface of the water anchored down on one end. The rolling motion of the waves generates electricity. The rolling motion of the waves is resisted by hydraulics which pump oil through a hydrolic motor. This motor is what converts the wave motion to electricity by powering electrical generators." (The information in parentheses were cut and pasted from the source to give a simplified understanding of ideas presently in progress. The picture of the Pelamis Machine was also copied from the article for a visual representation.)

The pros for such a system includes:

It can produce electricity.

It is politically correct.

Repairs should be relatively cost efficient since the machine is available on the surface.

There is another possibility that I have found no reference to as an energy source. When I found a one word reference to "currents", it appeared a more practical solution may be in the works! Since there was no elaboration as to how currents would be harnessed, I believe the "currents" refers to currents such as the Gulf Stream. Of course, the Gulf Stream is probably an exaggeration on my part, I would not be able to reference smaller currents available!

The failure of better technology indicates, to me, this is another rush project focused on surface wave action. The project will be used as a showcase for "green energy" whether it is effective or not! Some of the cons in this system could be:

Hazard to navigation.

Unsightly appearance (such as wind generators off Martha's Vineyard).

Reliability in freezing conditions (since the wave action is converted to mechanical energy by a hydrolic pump or lack of wave due to iced over seas).

Maintenance could cause problems due to numbers of machines require to be feasible. Would upkeep be handled by local or federal government or would they be owned by private companies and/or individuals?

If the waves themselves are not practical as the actual power source, how could their action still be converted into energy? Using the theory, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.", the waves produce an opposite and equal reaction. We most often encounter this reaction of wave force as under tow and/or rip tide.

It is my contention that the force of the waves returning to the main body of water in the form of under tow lends itself as a much easier force to harness. I believe the simple design and installation to be easily installed. The best way to think of this system is it's similarity to an air intake to the ducting system on an air handler such as those used for heating and/or air conditioning

Below is a very rough drawing of the basic concept (Not to scale):

I could not get this drawing to load here and I will have to just describe it!

Location would be very important to take advantage of waves that are (I guess) one foot or higher constantly. The opening to the apparatus would be a large, square intake which would remain underwater even at the lowest tide. The opening would use a flared opening to funnel as much wave return water as possible into a connecting round pipe which graduates to a much smaller opening at the turbine.

To reduce a hazard to navigation, I would want the majority of the pipe buried to a opening point at least 30 feet below the surface. Unless gearing or some other method were used, the power level would fluctuate

according to tides and wave action. In other words, it would need something like a storage battery to allow it to release a smooth flow of electricity into the grid.

If you have any questions or know how I can download the drawing to this page let me know! Thank you for taking time to look at this!

To post a drawing here

click the camera Icon on the editor bar & browse your computer to submit

Alternately you can link to a storage site...

Some remarks: A company in Israel produces a similar system. With floating elements the wave action is not per se equal to the reaction. Waves are generated mostly by wind. The produced power is the highest on the surface. It is best possible that 30 feet deeper. the water is calm. another con: risk for oil spill. Waves have also characteristics like height or amplitude, and frequency (or related 1/period). Evidently with lower frequency, the period is longer (distance between the waves)

good place to start to discover the state of the art in ocean energy conversion is EPRI- they have done a significant amount of study in this area. Send me a private message if you can not find the information on the EPRI site,

Pelamis is currently expanding their first commercial installation in Portugal. Apparently, the Portugal authorities were quite happy with the results from the initial experimental installation.

In Scotland, the government just released 10 new concessions for tidal and wave energy projects.

The US Government lists several hundred ocean energy conversion projects in various stages of development.

A company has recently installed turbines in the East River in New York- there has been a lot of publicity in the popular press over this.

There are schemes proposed to harness the Gulf Stream and the flow of the Mississippi River.

There are several functional tidal plants operating in the world today (the largest that I know about is in Rance, France, and has been operating continuously sinc 1964- about a year before the first commercial application of photovoltaic systems.

I currently head up a project in Panama that is attempting to develop tidal energy in Panama, currently seeking funding. If you would like to see a PowerPoint presentation on that project, it is available in my public folder on Skydrive. Send me a private message, and I will send you a link to this, or attach it to a regular e-mail.

It will take me awhile to digest all of this information, but I am definately interested in the presentation. I would enjoy seeing your project and I am sure you will prosper. Unfortunately, I am on social security disability and will not be able to visit. I just spend most of my time studying and trying to come up with ideas. I just hope they will help someone to further their ideas! Thank you!

Thank you! That did work to submit the drawing. From what I can tell, the idea may have already been studied an put into operation in a better way already. Let me know if you have any questions and thanks again!

Try these links

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Scotland-Wave-And-Tidal-Energy-Projects-Alex-Salmond-Launches-Drive-To-Power-700000-Homes/Article/201003315574927?f=rss

http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/wave.htm

http://images.google.co.uk/images?rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&oe=&redir_esc=&q=wave+power&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=CKi3S-6AFpSt4Qbvz7SmDg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCMQsAQwAw

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/hydro/wave-power/