Wave energy project planned for U.S.
DEEP RIVER, Connecticut, US, 2004-09-15 (Refocus Weekly)
An Australian company will install a wave energy project off the southern coast of Rhode Island.
Energetech America says the ‘first of its kind’ wave energy project will
cost US$3.5 million to convert ocean waves into green power. The pilot project
will operate for three years and has received $1 million in planning and
development funds from the states of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and
Connecticut.
The facility, ‘GreenWave Rhode Island,’ will be a non-profit operation to
demonstrate the commercial viability of wave energy technology, and research for
the project is being conducted by the University of Rhode Island. The 500 kW
unit will generate electricity for 300 homes.
“Harnessing ocean energy has the potential to produce a virtually limitless
supply of pollution-free electricity to help meet U.S. and the world's growing
energy needs,” says Tom Denniss of parent company Energetech Australia. "GreenWave
Rhode Island is a major milestone in the development of clean technologies to
tap the world's most plentiful natural resource.”
Energetech has developed an oscillating water column over the past two decades,
to capture the up-and-down movement of waves to drive a turbine. The four legs
of the structure rest on pads on the ocean floor and the unit is stabilized by
cables moored to the seabed, and the electricity is transmitted via a submerged
cable.
“The impact of traditional power plant emissions on air quality and climate,
combined with dwindling supplies of fossil fuels, make it imperative that
government and industry accelerate the development of clean green power
technologies,” says Janice McClanaghan of the state energy office. “If
approved, this project presents an opportunity for developing a promising and
abundant renewable resource.”
The 30 by 40 m structure will be 15 m above the water surface, but a visual
study by an independent environmental company says the distance from shore will
make it barely visible from most locations. The structure will be manufactured
in Rhode Island and floated to the site, where installation will take one week.
“Moving America forward on a path toward greater energy independence that will
create new jobs and lead to a healthier environment cannot be achieved by the
work of a single state,” says Rob Pratt of the Massachusetts Renewable Energy
Trust. “We are proud to participate in this multi-state coalition working to
advance wave energy technology, which has enormous potential to help us build a
cleaner energy future.”
The company examined the coastal waters of four New England states and found
Point Judith on Rhode Island to be suited for the project. Marine life will be
preserved and there will be no interference with recreational or commercial uses
of the waters. Energetech expects to submit an application with state and
federal permitting authorities later this year, and the facility must undergo a
comprehensive review by state and federal permitting authorities to ensure it
complies with environmental, navigational and other applicable regulations.
The project is expected to begin operations in 2006.
Later this year, Energetech expects to start operations at its Port Kembla
project in Australia, which received government approval last year.
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