Eco Factor: Uses underwater tides to produce energy in a far more efficient manner than present-day underwater turbines.
Tidal Energy is being looked at as a energy source with great potential and many firms are now convinced that tidal energy can indeed be harnessed by giant turbines. A group of engineers at Oxford have come up with the next generation underwater wind turbine that will harness tidal energy far more efficiently and effectively than the current ones. Transverse Horizontal Axis Water Turbine (THWAT) is a design that consists of a long horizontal cylinder that rolls along with water than at right angles with the tide flow. This new turbine is more efficient, producing 12 MW of energy, and it is cheap.
THWAT costs 60% less than conventional underwater turbines in manufacturing and 40% less in maintenance. It would be interesting to see how it performs on the sea floor.
The Dark Side:
While companies have ways of telling us how the underwater tidal power plants will not affect marine life, it is just not possible. Tidal flows carry with them both mild temperature and plenty of nutrients. This attracts both the small fish that feed on plankton and the large ones that feed on small fish. In essence, the turbines could wreck underwater ecosystems despite not hurting marine life physically.
Via: Inhabitat
