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First it was companies poking around and looking for places to stake their claim on the possible use of [tag-tec]ocean waves[/tag-tec] to create energy. Now it is a whole county in CA that wants to lock up its shoreline and ocean territory for miles out to sea in order to protect its right to develop wave energy technology.
Yes it seems that the technology must be coming to near term if it has come to this. The Sonoma County Water Agency (just north of SF) has plans this week to ask federal regulators for exclusive rights to study and develop wave-energy technology along the entire 41-mile county coastline, extending 12 miles out to sea, an expanse of about 490 square miles.
Now there are some interesting issues in this plan. Who has the final say over these ocean energies? What impact will it have on ocean ecology, can they even develop a technology capable of standing up to salt water, huge waves, and cold temps over many years?
"Most of the prospective areas for wave arrays are right in the middle of gray whale migratory pathways," said Richard Charter, a representative of the nonprofit Defenders of Wildlife.
Will these wave energy technologies get in the way of commercial and public fisheries, damage fish habitat, prevent cleanup in the case of a spill and so on. These are the questions being asked.
But the tantalizing question is can it work and how much energy can it supply? Is it another version of wind power
, capable of helping out as an energy source but not yet a big player? Or is it much bigger than that?
Some of the wave science
Wave power
DOE on wave power
Energy Tags: solar energy, wave energy
Michael Read asked: As
solar power is continues to gain popularity, manufacturers are now offering solar powered attic fans to consumers to help ventilate attics and keep attics cooler. The solar powered fans that are used for attics generally have a smaller
solar panel to help power a DC motor when the sun is shining. By using solar powered attic fans, you will enjoy a plethora of benefits, including the four I will discuss in this article.
1. Save money
There is no arguing the fact that electric rates are always on the rise, which makes solar powered fans so popular. By storing more
solar energy because the roof is always in direct contact with the sun, you will make use of much more energy without paying a penny. Also, by continuously keeping your attic cool because of the low cost of solar powered fans, you no longer have to worry about dealing with mildew and mold.
2. Maximize exposure of sun to the solar panel
Because of the way that many solar powered attic fans are designed, there is a mounting bracket that houses the solar panel. This helps optimize the angle of the panel to put it to use much more than an electric fan. The mounting bracket will also allow for remote mounting of the solar panel, which allows for optimal panel placement.
3. Minimize the ambient temperature of the solar panel
With a powder coating that rests over the entire assembly in neutral gray color, this helps minimize the power output losses as temperatures increase. In doing so, it will help cool the attic and ensure that the solar powered fan does not act like a heat sink. Also, the mounting bracket allows for an envelope of cooler air to continuously circulate around the entire solar panel. By doing this, it provides the maximum electricity output from the panel to help run the fan motor.
4. Adaptable for all environments
Although solar power is just becoming popular, technology has grown to allow solar powered attic fans to be adaptable for all locations, roof types and environments. Obviously, if you live in an environment that sees more sun you will be able to create more
solar energy. However, the powder coat over solar powered fans allows these fans to withstand any environment.
Solar powered attic fans are perfect for every attic to help eliminate the heat while decreasing the electric bill at the same time. Because of the high efficiency, environment friendly capability, and lower electric bills, solar powered fans are suitable for everyone in any environment around the world.
Hydrogen Fuel Video Channel
Energy Tags: clean energy, solar energy
