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An innovation in tidal power that avoids the environmental impacts of damming a bay or estuary is providing an opportunity for continuing collaboration between Virginia Tech and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).  EPRI is studying the engineering and economic feasibility of submerged propeller-type turbines that directly harness the flow of tidal currents, possibly leading to North America’s first demonstration project for this technology. While tidal turbines resemble wind turbines, they operate at much slower rotational speeds and may be easily avoided by marine animals. According to George Hagerman, a senior research associate at Virginia Tech’s Advanced Research Institute in the National Capital Region, his role is “to characterize potential project sites in terms of tidal current speeds, seafloor bathymetry and geology, utility grid interconnection, and availability of a nearby harbor with marine equipment and services for operational support.” Hagerman performed a similar role for EPRI’s offshore wave energy conversion feasibility study, completed in 2004.  For the current study to identify possible demonstration sites, Hagerman surveyed sports in Maine, Massachusetts, and the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. “It is gratifying to work on projects like this, which have the potential to demonstrate new forms of sustainable energy from the sea,” says Hagerman. “Equally compelling are the potential new economic opportunities for coastal communities where commercial fishing and shipbuilding are in decline.” — Barbara L. Micale, Virginia Tech National Capital Region |
