Current Energy Sources India Young 1 st hr.

Constant flow of ocean currents carries large amounts of water across the earth’s oceansOcean currents flow in complex patterns affected by wind, water salinity, temperature, topography of the ocean currents are driven by windSolar heating of surface waters near the equator, while some currents result from density and salinity variations of the water columnFlow in one direction in contrast to tidal currents along the shoreWater is more than 800 times denser than airOcean wave energy is captured directly from surface waves or from pressure fluctuations below the surface Background

Continuing… Wave power devices extract energy from the surface motion of ocean waves or from pressure fluctuations below the surface Attenuators are long multisegment floating structures oriented parallel to the direction of the waves. They ride the waves like a ship, extracting energy by using restraints at the bow of the device and along its length Terminator devices extend perpendicular to the direction of the wave and capture or reflect the power of the wave. These devices are typically onshore or near shore; however, floating versions have been designed for offshore applications A point absorber is a floating structure with components that move relative to each other due to wave action (e.g., a floating buoy inside a fixed cylinder). Point absorbers often look like floating oceanographic buoys. They utilize the rise and fall of the wave height at a single point for energy conversion Overtopping devices have reservoirs that are filled by incoming waves, causing a slight buildup of water pressure like a dam. The water is then released, and gravity causes it to flow back into the ocean. The energy of the falling water is used to turn hydro turbines to generate power In the United States, 53% of the nation’s population lives in coastal areas, where energy costs and demands are high and land-based renewable energy resources are often limited Since oceans cover more than 70 percent of the earth's surface, they receive an enormous amount of solar energy

Status Quo Technologies are being developed so that energy can be extracted from ocean currents and converted back to usable power There are no commercial grid connected turbines currently operating Wave technologies have been designed to be installed in the near shore, offshore, and far offshore locations

Affirmative perspective demands integration of observations, concepts, thoughts, and ideas leads to discovery of new resources—food, medicines, minerals, and new sources of energy leads to new connections among diverse observations that allow us to quickly provide information critical for establishing or refining marine policy, as well as making important decisions concerning the conservation and sustained use of marine resources is a critical early phase of research. It guides research to areas and topics of promise and helps generate and refine research hypotheses, thus increasing the return on the nation’s investment in research pushes technology development inspires and moves us as humans to action, forever changing our perspectives and daily lives, and leaves us with a legacy of knowledge and renewed passion to ensure humanity’s survival on the ocean planet—Earth

Negative Perspective avoidance of cavitations (bubble formation); prevention of marine growth buildup; (can interfere with the systems for corrosion protection and increase the hydrodynamic loadings associated with wave and current actions on the structure) reliability (since maintenance costs are potentially high) Corrosion resistance Hydroelectric power causes disturbances in ecosystems from dams and large land use

Works Cited Energy.aspx growth-prevention-units/