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Britain Making Waves
Arthur Stamoulis
The
idea has been around for quite some time: use the power of the ocean
to generate electricity. Now, the British government is trying to
turn the notion into a commercial reality.
The UK recently awarded two marine technology corporations grants worth an equivalent of 5.1 million dollars to develop prototypes for new wave and tidal power generators. The generators would harness the energy in fast-moving tides in Wales and in large waves off of Scotland.
The nation's Energy Minister, Brian Wilson, said, "Wave and tidal power have huge potential to supply a significant proportion of the country's future energy needs."
Britain aims to have 10 percent of its energy supplied from renewable sources by the year 2010. The country had passed up large-scale tidal energy programs in the past, viewing them as cost-ineffective. Recent changes in technology, coupled with new priorities, have made these two pilot programs appear more affordable.
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