« Only four | Main | Another independence referendum »
Slashdot discusses BELCO's plan to harness ocean currents to generate electricity.
It's not particularly informative, but you might get a laugh from those worrying that the presence of the generator could lower temperatures in Europe, reduce the effectiveness of the Bermuda Triangle, or (my favourite) cause the moon to crash into the Earth.
At least the underwater generator won't need a fire suppressant system.
» Royal Gazette writes "Support has come flooding in for innovative plans to sink an underwater power generator in the sea off Bermuda...."
Comment on this post on your own blog, then add a link here by sending a trackback to http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/4258/4271580, or by using this form.
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
The comments to this entry are closed.
Archives By Category
That was... interesting.
Sometimes, it's better that I just don't read these things.
It's going to change the Gulf Stream? You're kidding right? Ridiculous. The whole thing is ridiculous.
Jesus. People really need lives.
Posted by Uncle Elvis on 16.02.06 at 00:22
All I read into that report is its high time
to buy MORE Belco shares. :)
I want to now what year they are going to split - been like 4 years now...
Posted by sal monilla on 16.02.06 at 06:30
I wonder how well BELCO and the RG's websites are doing with the slashdot effect.
Posted by Yet Another Limey on 16.02.06 at 07:54
"cause the moon to crash into the Earth"
Phil, Please tell me this is another piece of your famous satire, there isn't really human beings who are able to walk & talk, by themselves who believe that this may really happen.
Heads Up Chicken Litte(s).......The sky isn't really falling !!
Posted by Two Cents on 16.02.06 at 09:30
This is amazing. I'm really surprised that Belco is persuing something so innovative.
There's a similar project in New Yorks East river.
Have any studies been done on the possibility of off shore wind turbines as well?
Posted by ch57 on 16.02.06 at 10:38
Limey - I tried to Google the company behind this progect: Current to Current and came up with nothing. Do you know of a website?
I think Belco had to come up with an alternative strategy and am glad to see they have started on something. However I'm a little surprised to see it's this particular technology to be chosen as their first effort.
On the other hand deep down maybe it's all part of a conspiracy to turn the tides on Great Britain and start ruling the waves....
Posted by SmokingGun on 16.02.06 at 11:46
It is clearly a plot to head us on our way to independence. If we plant these generators, it will (a) destroy the gulfstream; (b) cause the UK to get colder than it already is; (c) piss of the UK; and finally (d) as the UK is now pissed off with Bermuda, they would let Alex get away with determining independence solely by way of an election (or maybe even without one).
This is brilliant - the Cabinet Office must have been working on this for years!!
Posted by Pitts Bay on 16.02.06 at 11:55
I am glad to hear that BELCO is taking the initiative here. I recall some years ago they planned to set up some windmills off of Fort St. Catherines however, and I've yet to see any actual work on that. What would be really good however would be for government to allow reverse meters, subsidies for home solar panel installations, and mandatory solar panelling of the office buildings in town. There is no reason why we can't take a lead on this. We can't keep risking an oil tanker wrecking our reefs. And imagine if we can guarantee a solar panel for each house enough to power a fridge and at least one light bulb - it would save a lot of problems in post-hurricane situations. The only problem is the number of people holding shares in BELCO who would be afraid of losses. Private profit versus social and environmental profit.
Posted by J Starling on 16.02.06 at 13:03
J Starling - my advice would be to do two things. Invest in a solar panel and invest in Belco shares.
Posted by SmokingGun on 16.02.06 at 13:21
LOL
A crumb on your living room floor is a great way to put Bermuda in context of the Atlantic.
A mighty Nation we are!!
Maybe this could be our new motto when we go independant.
"Bermuda, a crumb on the living room floor that is the Atlantic"
Posted by tong on 16.02.06 at 13:46
... that would make Alex Scott the crumby leader.
LOLOLOLOL!
Posted by Tiger Bay on 16.02.06 at 13:53
p.s. the crumb analogy was are of the slashdot folks.
Posted by tong on 16.02.06 at 15:49
The crumb analogy makes a lot of sense, especially with "P". After all, everything tends to get swept under the rug....
Posted by SmokingGun on 16.02.06 at 15:52
SmokingGun
No, I've had no success finding a website for the company either.
Posted by Phil on 16.02.06 at 18:09
In speaking with a collegue she told me that the technology that Current to Current use was developed by NASA. Its a shame there seems to be no information to back any of this up at all on the net! In briefly looking into possible alternate solutions to electrical I found that an 8 knot ocean current will produce the same sort of power that a 296 km/h wind will produce becuase of the density of water. If this is true ocean current seems to be the only way forward for Bermuda. BELCO seem to be looking towards the future, I commend them on this however they should look at ways to reduce the polution they are currently emmiting via their use of VERY poor quality oils today.
Posted by king on 16.02.06 at 18:54
Hmmmm... How funny. A little digging into the depths of the company's registration and who would you imagine is listed as a Director on it's board. None other than our own Sir John Swan..... how appropriate.
Posted by SmokingGun on 16.02.06 at 18:59
i forgot to add...the technology is supposedly able to pick up relativley small ocean currents so that power can be harnesed during 'weak' times.
LOL! Interesting about Sir John. But what were you expecting? This doesnt shock me anymore...its all to common in Bermuda nowadays.
Posted by king on 16.02.06 at 19:08
SmokingGun - Is there a problem with a successful Bermudian venturing outside of our shores when diversifying his investment portfolio via high risk venture capital projects that seek to improve our quality of life?
Posted by observor on 16.02.06 at 19:44
Smoking
Where did you find a link to the Company?
Posted by Pittsbay on 16.02.06 at 21:51
If yo are into exploring this and the technology there is a big push for it in Scotland.
The economic development agency is pushing it
http://www.hie.co.uk/aie/tidal_power.html
One of the universities is studying it
http://www.icit.hw.ac.uk/tidepower.htm
Posted by Mac on 17.02.06 at 06:59
From my understanding they are trying to harness none tidal currents with this? Non tidal currents on the south shore can't be all that fast, can they?
Instead why not just put one of these blades down at Flatts inlet and capture the tidal current? You would get a more reliable current, and it would be easier to plug it into the grid...
Posted by Somers on 17.02.06 at 08:44
Observer - no not at all, in fact I do it every single day. I guess my sense of humour just didn't "float" with you.... it was sort of like a "ducks to water" thing. Damn I'm feeling like Jay Leno again. ;)
Pittsbay - You can get the Massachusetts registration info on the company through public records. www.mass.gov is the website.
Somers - It looks like they are actually going to harness the gulf stream current. I believe this runs at a roughly constant 4 knots and is a very powerful energy source. Imagine being pulled behind a boat at 4 knots and see how long you can hold on. A slow moving blade can generate good electricity as long as it's able to be kept clean. Tidal currents are not as efficient as they have three hours of down-time between each change of tide. The GS runs 24/7. Belco is looking to use this to add to their base load. the diesel gen sets will take care of peak requirements.
This technology is probably the best long term alternative method of energy development for Bermuda as it will be hidden, very clean and likely to do little damage to the environment it's in. Out of sight out of mind. However it is also the one area that is fraught with issues regarding maintenance cost and long term ROI. The ocean has every conceivable micro-organism that's just looking to attach itself to whatever's in it and slow it down.
Posted by SmokingGun on 17.02.06 at 11:43
If anyone is interested..
http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corp/corpsearch/CorpSearchSummary.asp?ReadFromDB=True&UpdateAllowed=&FEIN=000903015
Posted by me on 17.02.06 at 17:17
Just wondering...has this company actually created any 'technology' yet? A google search will bring up several good firms who have already established what seems to be years of innovative research into product designs. Current to Current is new (Aug 2005), so by the time they research, create, and actually make the generators wont we be years down the road? I know BELCO said roughly 4 years (I believe) till they set anything up? Why not go with an 'established' firm in this industry?
Posted by king on 17.02.06 at 18:40
" Why not go with an 'established' firm in this industry?"
...because this is the one JWS is involved in?
It's curious that the local press is calling this the 'first of it's kind'....what about the ones in the East River?
Posted by JSM on 17.02.06 at 18:45
If Limey will forgive me I would like to reply to Smoking Gun. You suggest I invest in a solar panel and in BELCO shares. Dear friend, where am I going to find the capital to do so? With rent and utilities, not to mention groceries and other basics, I can barely save a dollar a month, so how, pray tell am I to invest in BELCO shares? Those things seem to be for the rich only. Even if one goes along the Smithian argument of government taking care only of those things that are not in anyones individual profit, a secure energy grid is in governments area. BELCO is interested in its own profits, its investors no doubt have stock in cars and oil, I doubt they are going to force any serious change. Government can, but there are a thousand golden threads binding government to things like BELCO. Unless government can subsidise my solar panel (they have a surplus of taxes after all), legislate for reverse meters, and start a national energy plan, there is no way I can put up the capital to get my own solar panels or buy enough stock to influence BELCO.
Posted by J Starling on 17.02.06 at 22:26
J Starling - I totally understand where you are coming from but investing is not at all for the just the rich. In fact I would say it's more important for the less well off to get started in investing. Funny thing is the rich often make the worst investments!
Why do I suggest investing in BELCO? Because they are a monopoly and they pay a dividend. (I believe, correct me if I'm wrong). They will make money year after year as they invest in alternative energy sources. You may have noticed they have already stated that this new technology may not mean reduced rates. So figure rates will likely rise as our island builds more and more buildings.
I'm not suggesting you purchase 10,000 shares but if you can start with just 10 then think of it as a savings plan. See if you can buy small amounts as you go along. Instead of a case of beer, buy a share, that's how I got started. It's not big time investing but at the end of the day you will own equity in a pretty solid company and get a little kicked back at the end of the year. To buy a nice bottle of champagne maybe?
As far as a solar panel, buy that for the same reason mentioned above. Those rates are not going down. A small panel might be enough to suffice in keeping your fridge running and maybe even the water pump. It's not going to be a big investment but again it will help you beat the system and especially at BELCO's electricity rates, maybe afford you a box of chocolates to go with the champagne.
By the way, if you purchase just one share in BELCO you are entitled to attend there shareholder's meetings. That's where you can have some influence. Just remember, one day at a time....
Posted by SmokingGun on 18.02.06 at 13:25
Jonny,
That's one thing I've wanted to get started on this island for a while - it sounds like you know the basics of installing solar panels. Wind turbines are also pretty easy to install. Want to go into business? Fight capitalism with capitalism, so to speak. The only things in or way are that it's illegal at the moment to generate your own electricity unless Belco's not able or willing to provide it, and you'll need planning permission to put up a wind turbine, however small. Slight technicalities I suppose.
Let me know.
Posted by americanbermudian on 19.02.06 at 09:52
Again, if Limey will forgive I would like to respond to cousin Smoking Gun. well, cousin, I agree with you to a degree, and I also feel that I understand where you are coming from. However, so what if I can forgo some luxury (alhtough on my wages, with my outlays of rent and utilties I am basically forced to a vegetarian diet and you want me to forgo the luxury of table wine), it will purchase me what, a couple of shares. Sure, I could attend share holder meetings. Unless I misunderstand capitalism (which is entirely possible) my voting power is relative to my shareholdings. With a handful of stocks I will defacto have no influence over Fairylands. Renewable energy sources like solar are simply not profitable in the way that one understands private profit. After x amount of years they have paid for their installation and are essentially free energy, more than paying for their basic maintenance costs. They make environmental and social profit sense, but an individual cannot make a profit from them other than intially, and thus they will not b implemented by the capitalist system unless society forces it.
To americanbermudian, besides the above points of renewable energy not being profitable might I ask you to research the Jevons paradox. Essentially, it is impossible to expect technology to solve the problem, wehn the problem is the socioeconomic system itself. Finding a way to double our energy efficiency will only translate into a doubling (if not more) of production/exploitation. Increased production will excacerbate the situation, not alleive it. Also, where does one find the capital for this venture? does the technology exist already? Yes. Is it affordable and reliable? Yes. Is it profitable in the conventional sense? No. Is it the right thing to do? Yes. Can one fight capitalism with capitalism? No. Capitalism is all about the bottom line, irrespective of what gets in the way. Capitalism is all about removing obstacle to profit realisation. Renewable energy represent one of the greatest threats to capitalism, and can only be realised by social action. That depends on politcal and environmental consciousness. Besides from that, sure, email me. We can work on that.
Posted by J Starling on 20.02.06 at 20:50
I am unable to sit down this morning due to the reaming I received after opening my Belco bill. The bill was $217.00 while the Fuel Adjustment (i.e. variable value to maintain company margins) was a staggering $98!!!
I wonder if Bermuda is currently THE most expensive place on earth for utilities?
Posted by hotspur on 30.08.06 at 09:46
So....how's that wave generator working out?
Posted by ch57 on 22.12.06 at 18:43
"So....how's that wave generator working out?"
Destroyed by last week's tsunami. I blame the UBP.....
Posted by loki on 23.12.06 at 10:39