ocean observations
utility-scale offshore renewable energy systems in the US today are very similar to the transition observed in the ocean mapping field, from singlebeam echosounders to multibeam systems in the 70's and 80's, to the high-resolution, wide swath sonar systems in use today.
What do you see as some of the biggest challenges to bringing this new source of energy to the mainstream in the US?
nificant leadership role in approving the Ocean Special Area Management Plan, which will make Rhode Island a leader in the nation in zoning its offshore waters for diverse activities, including renewable energy development.
Other than wind energy, which is available in most areas of the country, how many areas in North America can reliably support other offshore energy conversion facilities for tide, current or wave energy?
tation on this subject, by Roger Bedard of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) can be found at: http://oceanenergy.epri.com/attachments/ocean/reports/EWTEC_Bedar d_Sep_11.pdf
Although we generally call it "ocean energy" aren't there opportunities for some of these types of energy conversion facilities to be deployed on inland waterways?
SD The will of private and public leadership to come together and making it happen as well as the availability of equity financing. A recent article in Renewable Energy World stated, "Poor policy leadership... (is)...the single largest barrier faced by the wind industry." Unfortunately, the recent downturn in world wide financial markets is starting to create larger challenges in this field. Luckily, the State of Rhode Island has taken a sig-
SD Water is approximately 835 times denser than wind, so for the same area of flow being intercepted, the energy contained in a 12-mph water flow is equivalent to that contained in an air mass moving at about 100 mph. Thus, tidally driven and ocean currents represent a potentially significant, currently untapped reservoir of energy in a number of areas in our country. An outstanding presen-
SD Yes. In-stream hydrokinetic energy conversion devices in various configurations are being tested today. Projects are being tested in Canada and are planned in the Mississippi and Missouri River and other sites where a significant flow of water exists.
The business model for private investment in this space is still being debated. Do you believe that, at the end of the day, it will take significant public funding to move these types of projects forward?
SD I have recently consulted with a number of potential investors in this industry. To summarize, I received the following appropriate answer to this question: "Until the complicated and extremely expensive approval process is made more efficient, the true costs of the installation and longterm operation of the offshore facilities is experienced and the pricing of alternative energy methods is determined, the need for public funding of the projects cannot really be projected - especially if it continues to take many years to get an offshore project to produce electricity, during which time many other new and efficient forms of energy production may be invented, tested and put into service."
Can you specifically comment on what technology challenges exist? Do you feel that new technologies, 14 MTR March 2009
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