Energy from marine currents possible, according to researchers

After the development of offshore wind power, it is now time to tap energy from marine currents. These marine currents are produced by tides.

The experts agree on the point that after the development of offshore wind power, it is now time to tap energy from marine currents. These marine currents are produced by tides.

The first experimental parks are being installed by Europe and Canada. These parks would be based on the devices set on the seabed.

The economic analysis is used for developing the new anchoring systems. These systems are much simpler and robust. Also being developed by the GITREM, These systems are being developed by a powerful tool of simulation and control.

The high cost of installation, maintenance and manufacturing are the problems faced in the new devices that use energy from marine currents in the depth.

A method to assess the life-cycle cost of a power generation park based on these devices that can be used in the early design stages are being developed by Technological Research Group in Marine Renewable Energy (GITERM) at UPM.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews has published this procedure recently.

It has been assessed that area of over 40 meters of depth locates 80% of the energy from the tides.

In such a depth, new devices are required because the first generation devices turn to be expensive as compared to the new one. The second generation systems get the aid from anchors and cables to hold the device to the seabed.

"Our GESMEY device, patented by the University, has been the first design worldwide tested in the sea and fit to operate fully submerged. Thanks to the cost analysis tool, we were able to assess diverse design alternatives with a final goal: to reduce as much as possible the production cost of the energy and to make this renewable source both financially and technically competitive, helping fight against climate change." says a researcher from GITERM group at the School of Naval Engineering at UPM.

The tidal renewable energy has a lot of potential and the researchers are keenly working towards achieving a successful commercialization of the same as they see potential in the marine current for power generation.