[Madpaddy]

So, we all know that harnessing tidal streams gives a constant supply of energy, unlike wind. The problem has been the difficulties in erecting tidal turbines on the seabed and maintaining them thereafter.

However, if barge like structures were anchored to the seabed with turbines slung beneath them, they could utilise the tidal currents. For maintainance, the turbines could be retracted or the barge brought to drydock.

Any comments?

[yesplease]

We could even use retrofitted oil rigs.
Practically, they would be limited in range because there has to be a link to the main land for the generated electricity. But they could be used in high energy areas in the same way that mobile carousel wind generator is...
Who knows?

[coyote]

Make sure the turbine structures are flexible to account for rising sea levels.

Then make a sketch and patent it!

I'm very good with Illustrator, I'll be happy to contribute some time... for a percentage, of course.

[Tanada]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Madpaddy', 'S')o, we all know that harnessing tidal streams gives a constant supply of energy, unlike wind. The problem has been the difficulties in erecting tidal turbines on the seabed and maintaining them thereafter.

However, if barge like structures were anchored to the seabed with turbines slung beneath them, they could utilise the tidal currents. For maintainance, the turbines could be retracted or the barge brought to drydock.

Any comments?

[Madpaddy]

Tanada wrote,
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')ound to me like you are talking about the ocean conveyor system/gulf stream, not tidal streams.

[Frank]

I don't think this is a new idea...

[JRP3]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Madpaddy', 'S')o, we all know that harnessing tidal streams gives a constant supply of energy, unlike wind. The problem has been the difficulties in erecting tidal turbines on the seabed and maintaining them thereafter.

However, if barge like structures were anchored to the seabed with turbines slung beneath them, they could utilise the tidal currents. For maintainance, the turbines could be retracted or the barge brought to drydock.

Any comments?

[MonteQuest]

Only two large-scale tidal facilities have been constructed. A 240 MW in operation in La Rance, France, since 1966, and a 20-MW plant in Annapolis, Nova Scotia, since 1984.

[Frank]

There's been lots of evaluation units installed though... http://wwwphys.murdoch.edu.au/rise/resl ... /text.html

Verdant Power was supposed to be installing units in the East River to come online pretty soon I think http://www.verdantpower.com/initiatives ... tinit.html

Still just a drop in the bucket though, but a necessary one in my view.

[NEOPO]

I am sure that as soon as we do this the moon which basically controls the tide will break from orbit and float off into space the same day the "strategic space agency" was conducting "tests" to see what would happen if terrorists blew the moon up or some equivalent

Yes I am for it and one main reason I am for it is to look at where the population lives....the majority near the oceans and seas.
Yeah I think submerged systems is the way to go for the obvious reasons.

I support this for tidal only as I do not think we should mess with the ocean "conveyer".