Physics Colloquium - Fall 2007 - Ocean Energy - The "Invisible" Renewable
Dept of Physics & Astronomy, the Dept of Chemistry,
and L.A.S.S.T.
University of Maine, Orono, Maine
Presents
George Hart, Ph.D. ‘73
Chief Technical Officer
Ocean Energy Institute, Rockland Maine
OCEAN ENERGY - THE "INVISIBLE" RENEWABLE
Almost invisible in media coverage of solar and wind renewable energy, ocean energy actually can play a lead role in addressing the urgent triad of issues: Peak Oil, Peak Power, and Pure Water. Ocean energy can be a source of liquid fuels for transportation through micro and macro algae biofuels, provide peak and baseload electric power for most U.S. population centers, and be an abundant source of desalinated water. The scale of energy available will be shown to fit the scope of the problem. The U.S. regional ocean energy sources will be reviewed along with the state of the art technologies designed to make use of those resources. Ocean energy technologies covered will include: near and far offshore wind turbines, wave devices, tidal current turbines, Gulf Stream turbines, ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), geothermal systems, and innovative hybrid approaches aimed at enhancing commercial competitiveness vs. coal. The important role of highly efficient water transportation will also be quantified.
Planned activities of the Rockland, Maine based Ocean Energy Institute will be explained including Project Poseidon aimed at accelerating adoption of ocean energy and the Ocean Energy Virtual University encompassing all the coastlines of the U.S. as well as the Great Lakes. The carbon footprint and water usage environmental benefits of ocean energy will be described as well as the migratory bird, marine wildlife, sea floor health, recreational use and commercial fishery factors which must be carefully considered.
Friday, December 7, 2007
3:10 pm
Arthur St. John Hill Auditorium
Room 165, Engineering and Science Research Bldg
Refreshments will follow in the lobby of the Hill Auditorium
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