LOCE Wind and Wave Energy Weblog

The web's first ocean and offshore wind energy weblog. Continuously renewed, like the ocean itself.

Saturday, November 06, 2004

Australia's First Wave Energy Plant Reaches Its New Home


Australia's first wave energy power plant has arrived at its new home in Port Kembla as reported in WAVE POWER PLANT FLOATED INTO PLACE (11/5/04). The plant, which was constructed in Indonesia, will be stationed about 200 metres off Port Kembla's eastern breakwater where it will be in the best position to generate power from the movement of waves.

According to this other article, the plant was developed by Energetech . The plant is eventually expected to generate enough power for at least 500 homes and possibly as many as 1500 in optimal conditions.

The Pentagon Continues to Delay Cape Wind


Seems like the delay in issuance of the Cape Wind Draft EIS by the Army Corps, first posted here continue. According to this editorial commentary
Blowing Smoke by Matthew Palmer, (November 5, 2004), the Pentagon has been sitting on the 4000 page DEIS for eight weeks now. Palmer askes: "If there are deficiencies cited in the report - as the opponents have claimed - let's see the document, so we can know what they are."

Tidal Power for China


This article,
China Endorses 300 MW Ocean Energy Project
from Renewable Energy Access (November 2, 2004) reports that the Chinese government signed an agreement with UK-based Tidal Electric for a renewable energy tidal power project near the mouth of the Yalu river. At 300 MW, the project would be the largest tidal power project in the world, according to the developers, topping the capacity of the 240 MW French tidal power plant in LaRance.

Offshore Wind Energy Consortium to Examine Feasibility of Deep Water Turbines


With near-shore projects like Cape Wind drawing controversy, others in the industry have decided to look outward to explore the feasibility of siting turbines in deeper water - which is frequently further offshore - as reported in
New Mass. wind plans aloft: As controversy swirls over Cape Wind, some look beyond horizon
, Alexander Soule, Boston Business Journal (10/25/2004). According to the article, the nascent Offshore Wind Energy Consortium hired a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm called Resolve Inc. to produce a feasibility study by January. The project currently has a budget of $700,000 underwritten by General Electric Co., the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and the U.S. Department of Energy.



Britain Seeks to Rule the Sea


"Denmark catches the most wind for power. Japan absorbs the most sun. Now Britain wants to rule the waves" proclaims this article Making waves with renewable energy , Planet Ark (10/27/04). The article reports on Britain's efforts to develop wave energy. Other countries, including Portugal, Japan, the United States, Australia and South Africa also want to develop electricity from the ocean. But Britain has grander plans, aiming to develop it on a large commercial scale and then export the technology.




E2i Preliminary Conclusion: Wave Power May Be Cheaper Than Wind


E2i has completed the first phase of research on wave energy resources in the United States with results reported here. Topics include site selection, a review of technology, the economics of pilot ocean plants and jurisdictional issues. In particular, this paper on the economics of wave power by Omar Siddiqui caught my eye, specifically the conclusion that: "Even w/a pessimistic cost estimate for wave energy, its economics are better than wind energy 3.8 cents wind; 3.6 cents wave (in locations like Oregon and Hawaii)."