Tidal powered turbine test a success

[Mousehound]

A tidal powered turbine off the coast of Scotland has successfully passed it's testing period, which included withstanding harsh winter storms. The turbine stands on a tripod base, turning much slower than wind turbines on land, and can take advantage of changing tidal flow by rotating it's blades. The advantage of tidal turbines over wind turbines, is their predictability of power generation years in advance.

There is a video available at the link that shows how the turbines are set up, used, and their relation to sea life and shipping.

http://phys.org/news/2012-05-scotlan...dal-power.html

[BuilderBob]

And here is another one...

http://www.tidalenergyltd.com/

Almost on my doorstep. Check out the technology link. Much neater than the Scottish one I think.

[Mousehound]

They need a floating crane to transport that system, but otherwise it looks pretty neat.

[Ross]

With respect ....

# Making a device that can produce electricity without being destroyed
is not the only required critical attribute .

# Does it produce power at a cost that is competitive with the alternatives ?
I would bet big money the answer is a resounding NO .

Almost certainly you will find they are expensive to build , expensive to
maintain and produce absurdly small amounts of power in return for the
investment involved .

Why would you produce vastly more expensive power by this method
when cheap shale gas is being found in abundance .

Abundant cheap shale gas discovered


.

[Mousehound]

I don't know enough about it, but this is from your link Ross:

But it inflamed environmental groups who say the technology used to extract shale gas is environmentally damaging.