Concept in Ocean Current Energy

A gentleman from South Africa asked for my feedback on a new concept in hydrokinetics aimed at capturing energy from ocean currents.  I hope a few readers will find my response interesting:

Hi, and thanks very much for sharing this fascinating concept.  As you can imagine, I come across many similar ideas in the course of a given year, even when I’m sitting back in my office.  When I want a real deluge, I go to the Ocean Energy show, the most recent one of which was in Atlantic City (whose boardwalk–see photos above and below–features people dressed in unexpected ways).

Having watched your video (which, per your request, I won’t publish), I would say:

Your statement of the problem is almost exactly correct.  80%  of the world’s energy comes from burning hydrocarbons, and most of that is fossil fuels.  You say we face shortages.  While that’s true on a regional level, I only wish that were true for the planet on the whole, as it would accelerate development of alternatives.  Coal is so abundant, at least here in the U.S. that as you hike through Wyoming you don’t even need to dig for it with a garden trowel; you have be careful not to trip over it.

You’re also correct that the Mozambique current is (along with the Gulf Stream) one of the two best on the planet.

But I’m not too sanguine on your technology solution.  Again, I won’t publish your concept, but my readers already know that I believe that CycloOcean holds the most promise in ocean current energy.  I base this on a) their early test results, b) the simplicity of the design and the consequently minimal bill of materials, c) the fact that it’s tethered (not moored) to the ocean floor (which also lowers costs), and d) offers a unique way to prevent each unit from getting twisted, and to prevent neighboring units from getting tangled with one another.

In order to succeed in this arena, at a minimum you’ll need competitive test results.  If and when they’re available, please send them along.

(pic of Atlantic City boardwalk from ca. 1900 – fairly formally dressed back then too)

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