Proceedings of the 2007 Georgia Basin Puget Sound Research Conference
Panel 1A: The Power of Water: Potential Clean Energy Sources
Chair: Linda Lyshall
Starting with an overview of how tidal and wave energy works, potential environmental concerns, and tribal rights, this panel will address issues such as tidal energy in the GBPS region, technology, regulatory and research issues, fundamental limits to the power potential of tidal streams, and the utilization of water from streams to produce hydrogen energy.
Panel Members:
• Daryl Williams, Tulalip Tribe
• Jennifer Hennessey, Washington Department of Ecology
• Craig Collar, Snohomish Public Utilities District
• Dr. Chris Garrett, University of Victoria
• Patrick Cummins, Institute of Ocean Sciences
• Monty Raisinghani, University of British Columbia
Tidal Energy in the Puget Sound
Presentation will provide an overview of tidal energy technology and application as well as an overview of the challenges and opportunities faced by the Snohomish PUD in the face of rapid service area load growth and the implementation of Renewable Portfolio Standards. The presentation will discuss the potential of tidal energy in Puget Sound from a technological, economic, and environmental standpoint, and will discuss the current status of Snohomish PUD’s efforts to responsibly study the tidal energy resource in the Sound.
Fundamental Limits to the Power Potential of Tidal Streams
The exploitation of strong tidal currents for electricity generation is being proposed for many locations in the Salish Sea. Small-scale installations can be evaluated using standard formulae and do not have a significant impact. As more and more turbines are added, however, the flow will tend to be slowed. Quite apart from the possible environmental impact of this, it implies an upper bound to the power available. Simple general theories, supported by detailed numerical modeling, provide easily applied formulae for the maximum power available at any particular location, and for the reduction of flow that would occur in this maximizing state. The results differ from many published evaluations based on erroneous assumptions. Present models assume that a fence of tidal turbines occupies the whole cross-section of a channel, though this might be ruled out by shipping needs. Preliminary results on the loss of potential caused by partial tidal fences will be presented. The achievement of optimum configurations, and determination of environmental impact, will require further collaboration between engineers, ocean physicists, and other marine scientists. While tidal stream energy may contribute to our needs, particularly in remote locations, its limited potential and possible environmental impact suggest that we should also consider other non-fossil energy sources such as nuclear power, taking advantage of the strong tidal currents to provide a plentiful supply of cooling water.
Tidal Current Energy Technology, Regulations, and Research
The need for clean energy has prompted the development of various types of turbines designed to capture tidal current energy and transform it into electricity, as well as various jurisdictions requesting permits for installation of turbines. This presentation will explore the various types of turbines proposed, the current regulatory structure, and research that is needed to determine the potential environmental impacts of this new technology.
The Hydrogen Economy-Utlizing Water From Streams to Produce Clean Energy
Our world has been dependent on the oil and gas industry for decades. As the Kyoto Protocol becomes a growing concern, industries must do their part to ensure that the environmental standards are met. Alternative energy research has been soaring, and companies are trying to find novel solutions to the energy crisis facing our world today.
Hydrogen power, is one of those solutions. Hydrogen production process requires intense amounts of energy input, to attain the final product. Additionally, with compression at higher pressures, the tanks become volatile. Hydrogen Power Inc.’s process, however, produces hydrogen on demand in an environmentally friendly manner. There are no carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide emissions during the process, and the hydrogen can be used for everyday applications. The presentation will consist of an analysis of the process, and how it benefits from other hydrogen production mechanisms.
As chemical engineers not only are we called upon to control a chemical process, but also to ensure that every process we conduct is environmentally and economically viable. It is up to the chemical engineers of today to secure a greener future.