Ocean Energy Show in Atlantic City, NJ, USA

Just a quick note to let readers know that this Energy Ocean show is really worth-while, and I’m very glad I built an extra day onto my trip to New York to attend it. 

The introductory speaker opened the proceedings by saying that she’s often asked if ocean energy (marine hydro, offshore wind, tidal, ocean current, and wave energy) is “before its time,” and that her answer is: absolutely no.  I have to disagree.  The concept of competing with the more mature forms of renewable energy, especially onshore wind and solar, on the basis of cost, is going to be a monumental challenge, and in truth, ocean energy, in any of its manifestations,  is a million miles from achieving success here.

Still, it’s an extremely important adjunct to these older technologies — especially in places like Alaska, where tidal and other hydro resources are enormous, and the cost of electricity, which is based on importing diesel, can run $0.60 per kWh.   Here, we have the potential to save money while reducing the destruction of the environment.  Not a bad deal.  I’m hoping that ocean energy can get a toe-hold in places like that, and expand from there.

I’m disappointed–and dumfounded–that ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is not even mentioned here; my client OTECorporation would be mortified.  I’ve brought this to the attention of the show’s producers; they need to rectify this for future conferences.