World’s biggest tidal energy ‘kite’ could single-handedly power a small town (thenextweb.com)
from kalkulat@lemmy.world to technology@lemmy.world on 11 Nov 2023 22:25
https://lemmy.world/post/8128766

#technology

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justhach@lemmy.world on 11 Nov 2023 23:38 next collapse

I always thought that tides were a really underutilized source of energy.

I mean, look at the Bay of Fundy. The equivalent of all the water in all the rivers in the entire world cycles in and out every single day. Thats a lot of movement and a ton of potential energy there.

KoboldCoterie@pawb.social on 11 Nov 2023 23:48 next collapse

As the article notes, part of the problem with large-scale operations like this in the past is that they disrupted ocean life to a significant degree; this one is different in that it (theoretically) doesn’t, since it’s smaller and mobile and not tethered to the seabed.

threeganzi@sh.itjust.works on 12 Nov 2023 09:48 collapse

The article doesn’t say anything about it not being tethered, so I’d assume it still is.

KoboldCoterie@pawb.social on 12 Nov 2023 17:02 collapse

Power is then sent to the grid via a subsea cable which also acts as the kite’s tether.

I’d assume this is less disruptive to sea life than this, which appears to just be a giant bollard with a turbine mounted on it sunk into the seabed.

kalkulat@lemmy.world on 12 Nov 2023 06:27 next collapse

Not many people live there, but W. Australias’ Kimberley Coast has a section where the tide rises 36 feet.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ9kdhVJT0U

Waves big enough to surf arrive.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=loRr97fOWdg

PipedLinkBot@feddit.rocks on 12 Nov 2023 06:27 collapse

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Taringano@lemm.ee on 12 Nov 2023 07:44 collapse

The sea is very corrosive which destroys moving parts :(

abhibeckert@lemmy.world on 12 Nov 2023 00:17 next collapse

The best thing is these provide continuous power except when the tide is “turning”… however that 20 minute or so period will be at a different time of day for each installation. Two of these, just 40 miles apart, might have their tidal turn offset by 3 hours with the right coastline… and you’d pick locations based on that.

Pons_Aelius@kbin.social on 12 Nov 2023 01:01 collapse

Here is a video of the technology from Minesto the company that produced the system.

PipedLinkBot@feddit.rocks on 12 Nov 2023 01:01 next collapse

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DosDude@retrolemmy.com on 12 Nov 2023 07:22 collapse

That’s interesting. I love seeing new ways for renewable energy. Though it does seem like the tether would be the weakest point. But I am not an engineer.

I wonder how the sea life will react. Will they get stuck in it? Will they leave? So many questions only time will answer.

Valmond@lemmy.mindoki.com on 12 Nov 2023 09:18 collapse

They’ll grow on it I bet.

sunbeam60@lemmy.one on 12 Nov 2023 10:36 collapse

I find it almost impossible that this system won’t require a LOT of maintenance. Anything you leave in the water breaks and is overgrown within months.