Archived material from historical editions of The Generator
Reference: “A Convenient Solution to an Undeniable Truth: We already have the solution”, UNSW Press, May 2007. Contact: Uthpala Gunethilake, ph: (02) 9664 0902, fax: (02) 9664 5420, email: uthpala.g@unsw.edu.au
Erisk Net, 5/2007
Related article by Dr Mark Diesendorf: Sustainable energy has a powerful future
Contact: Brad Burke (02) 6277 7640, website http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/env/2007/pubs/mr16may07.pdf
Erisk Net, 17/5/2007
In her Congressional discussion, von Jouanne said she hopes to outline the technological obstacles that must be overcome to commercialize wave energy, the ways that streamlined permitting and agency cooperation could help, and the need for more environmental and ecological studies.
"Things are really picking up speed now," said von Jouanne. "The public, political and agency leaders are understanding how electricity produced by waves could be a significant contributor to our energy portfolio, and people are beginning to see the value of a focused, national center to move research forward."
In the past nine years, Ocean State University has built its wave energy program through strong collaboration with state and federal agencies, private industry, utility companies and coastal communities. Outreach to fishing and crabbing industries has been a key part of the work, and a Port Liaison Project team composed of commercial fishing experts has been involved in wave energy device siting and ocean technical expertise.
OSU has also worked with a group called Fishermen Interested in Natural Energy to enable ocean testing in the late summer of 2007, and has located a low impact site for this testing.
"Our commercial fishermen are what you would consider ‘practical’ ocean experts, and they’ve been valuable partners in identifying [wave energy testing] sites that would cause the least disruption to the state’s economically important seafood industry," said Flaxen Conway, a Sea Grant Extension specialist.
"They also have been consulted on local ocean environments, the waves, currents, debris and climate history. We’re working together with them to plan a mutually beneficial, future use of the ocean and its resources," added Flaxen.
Research and development of wave energy is still very young, in comparison to other forms of renewable energy such as wind power. But wave power, most likely produced by buoys that are anchored two to three miles offshore and move gently up and down with ocean swells, could produce steady and large amounts of electricity.
Studies have suggested the network of about 500 such buoys could power the business district of downtown Portland. Systems could be scaled up or down in size, whatever is needed to meet demand. Theoretically, estimates suggest that 0.2 percent of the ocean’s untapped energy could power the entire world.
it generates to the Korea Power Exchange. SP Energy receives the wholesale market rate for the electricity from Korea Electric Power Corp. as well as a per-kilowatt-hour subsidy payment from the Korea Energy Management Corp. The project was financed by a fund raised from institutional investors and managed by Good & Rich Asset Management. The City of Mungyeong also offered its support throughout all stages of project development.
"Korea is committed to becoming a world leader in solar-electric power generation," said Zachary Struyk, PowerLight’s general manager in Korea. "We are pleased to help the country achieve its goals with the development of utility-scale power plants that serve Korea’s power needs with reliable, clean and affordable solar energy."
PowerLight worked as a subcontractor to LG CNS Co., Ltd, by supplying solar technology and providing design and installation services. SunPower panels, using high efficiency solar cells, are mounted on the proprietary PowerTracker solar tracking system.
The Mungyeong SP Solar Mountain is the second major solar power plant designed and deployed by PowerLight in Korea in recent months. In November 2006, a one-megawatt project in Gwangju, Korea, was officially dedicated.
Mr Clues says while the houses would still be structurally sound, consulting a soil engineer would be wise.
"Have them have a look at the type of soil, do some testing and talk to you about different ways of trying to preserve the moisture content in and around the house," he said.
"But what you mustn’t do is suddenly react by soaking areas that traditionally haven’t had water, because you’ll get the same effect of swelling."
Mr Clues says different types of construction materials are also being used to counter the big dry.
"Certainly you’re seeing a lot more different materials and different options in terms of foundations, using steel, treated pine," he said.
"It’s not all traditional masonry work these days, which obviously has a different impact terms of moisture content and level."