Polamis tidal power in Portugal
Polamis tidal power in Portugal
(OP)

The first commercial wave farm has been exported to Portugal by Edinburgh-based Ocean Power Delivery, their Pelamis wave machine is at the cutting edge of marine.
“Each joint of the Polamis or “sea snack”contains a hidraulic pump. As wave move the section high pressure oil is pumped from the joints through motors, wich drive the generators that produce electricity.”
Go to the site bellow to see an animation of the system.
http://www.oceanpd.com/Pelamis/default.html
luis marques





RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
The question is as ever, what does is the energy cost/benefit ratio? and the financial cost/benefit? OK so wind power probably will never have the same capability as water power for energy production but we are seeing claims that wind turbines will just about pay for themselves within their claimed life expectancy (never mind the subsidies).
We also have to ask how many sites are there that are optimum for this sort of scheme and what the environmental impacts will be. One assumes there was a study before this was installed.
As you may deduce, amid all the debate and the subsidies, the lies distortions, claims and counter claims I begin to be sceptical of just about anything these days and I keep reminding myself of:
- ther's no such thing as a free lunch
- if it seems too good to be true it probably is too good to be true
Oh well, I think I'm open to be persuaded that this is the best thing since sliced bread but maybe I am now a confirmed cynic.[li]the degree of veracity can be determined by the inverse relationship between the truth and the slickness of the website and one factor is all important animation
On the other hand, the animation here wasn't that slick and didn't in fact reveal anything at all. I would have thought we could all envisage from the photos what would happen to the sausage string when the waves hit it so what i was expecting when i clicked on the animation was to see the action of the hydraulic generators illustrated. I suppose this lack of "sickness" should actually persuade me this is going to be the best thing since sliced bread.
OK, time for some party animals to chime in with some "positive waves" (Sorry, couldn't resist).
JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
luis marques
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
You KNOW it's going to happen.
But it's cool technology until then...
old field guy
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
I thought that they would also capture the vertical motion of the wave as well by using the vertical forces induced on the anchor points. I would assume that could/would be problematic due to tidal influences. Dampening effects could be beneficial in some cases. Envision these around offshore oil platforms etc, providing power as well as potential reduction in effects from adverse sea conditions.
Regards,
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
PSE, they capture the vertical motion by the fact the sections move relative to one another, at least that's my understanding. As regards damping, I believe they control this so it doesn't tear itself apart in strong waves.
As regards Somptings & old field guys posts, while a genuine concern I suspect on a global scale wave farms will be no worse than tidal Mangrove Swamps etc were before a lot were destroyed. Just like I still doubt that wind turbines 'absorb' more wind than the trees that once covered much of the earth.
KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
My reference was using the tether points as additional ways to generate power, supplementing the movement and power generation between sections.
Regards,
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
I think you'd basically find you were trying to capture the same energy twice. I could certainly be wrong though.
KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
Then again except geothermal & nuclear (maybe tidal thinking about it) pretty much all common energy sources are basically recycled sunshine.
KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
Pelamis in a certain way is a form of tidal power
luis marques
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
0707, I really don't think Pelamis is a tidal power generator. The different segments would rise fairly uniformally with the tide.
The wave power station you show would generate some power from tides though very little in comparison with waves and only twice a day (or 4 times if bi-directional). In fact unless there's a very fast tide I doubt the rate the air is forced out by tides would even turn the turbine.
KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
a start for your contribution to the discution.
luis
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
Tidal power comes from the rotation of the earth. If we put in enough tidal dams, we will stop the earths rotation.....
I just started a new chicken little story....
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
That scheme has been around in various forms as long as I can remember.
We even had an energy question based on it when I took my A levels over 10 years ago.
While I'd never say never, I have my doubts it will ever happen as a complete barrage.
Now a bunch of tidal turbines of some sort I can envision but a complete barrier, I'm sceptical.
dcasto, isn't it a combination of the sun & moons gravity pulling the sea toward them, the rotation of the earth causes the high point to move. So not only will the world stop spinning but we'll collide with the moon & sun
KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal
RE: Polamis tidal power in Portugal