Posted: September 1st, 2023
Considering the energy situation in Europe, marine renewable energies, especially converters on the ocean floor
Considering the energy situation in Europe, marine renewable energies, especially converters on the ocean floor
Marine renewable energies (MRE) are a major source of green energy that may be generated from offshore wind farms and other ocean energy technologies. They significantly contribute to the EU’s 2050 Energy Strategy and the European Green Deal, which aim to achieve carbon neutrality and enhance energy security. This paper will focus on one of the most promising and innovative MRE technologies: converters on the ocean floor.
Converters on the ocean floor are devices that capture the kinetic energy of ocean currents and convert it into electricity. They have several advantages over other MRE technologies, such as:
– They are less visible and have less impact on the marine environment than surface or floating devices.
– They can operate in deeper waters where the currents are stronger and more stable.
– They can benefit from economies of scale and modular design, reducing installation and maintenance costs.
However, converters on the ocean floor also face some challenges, such as:
– They require high reliability and durability to withstand harsh ocean conditions and avoid frequent interventions.
– They need to be connected to the grid through subsea cables, which may increase the complexity and risk of the project.
– They have to comply with environmental regulations and ensure minimal disturbance to marine life.
Despite these challenges, converters on the ocean floor have a great potential to become a significant source of MRE in Europe. According to a study by the European Commission, the technical potential of ocean currents in Europe is estimated at 50 GW, which could provide about 10% of the EU’s electricity demand by 2050. Several pilot projects have been launched in recent years to test and demonstrate the feasibility and performance of converters on the ocean floor, such as:
– The Tidal Stream Project in Scotland, which installed four 1.5 MW turbines on the seabed of the Pentland Firth, generating enough electricity to power 3,800 homes.
– The BlueTEC Project in the Netherlands, which deployed a 200 kW floating platform with a seabed-mounted turbine in the Marsdiep channel, supplying electricity to Texel island.
– The SABELLA Project in France, which installed a 1 MW turbine on the seabed of the Fromveur Strait, providing power to Ushant island.
These projects show that converters on the ocean floor are a viable and promising MRE technology that can contribute to Europe’s energy transition and blue economy. However, more research and development is needed to improve their efficiency, reliability and environmental compatibility. Moreover, more support from policy makers and stakeholders is required to create a favourable regulatory framework and market conditions for their deployment.
References
: European Commission. (2016). Study on Lessons for Ocean Energy Development. https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/9c0b0d0a-b2f7-11e6-9e3c-01aa75ed71a1
: MeyGen. (n.d.). MeyGen Tidal Energy Project. https://www.meygen.com/
: BlueTEC. (n.d.). BlueTEC Texel Tidal Energy. http://www.bluetectidalenergy.com/
: SABELLA. (n.d.). SABELLA D10: A World Premiere in Ocean Energy. https://sabella.fr/en/technology/sabella-d10