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Title: Turbines in the ocean

Abstract

It is noted that the relatively high-speed ocean currents flowing northward along the east coast of the U.S. may be able to supply a significant proportion of the future electric power requirements of urban areas. The Gulf Stream core lies only about 20 miles east of Miami here its near-surface water reaches velocities of 4.3 miles per hour. Attention is called to the estimate that the energy available in the current of the Gulf Stream adjacent to Florida is approximately equivalent to that generated by 25 1,000-megawatt power plants. It is also contended that this power could be produced at competitive prices during the 1980s using large turbines moored below the ocean surface near the center of the Stream. Assuming an average ocean-current speed between 4 and 5 knots at the current core, the power density of a hydroturbine could reach 410 watts per square foot, about 100 times that of a wind-driven device of similar scale operating in an airflow of approximately 11 knots.

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL
OSTI Identifier:
5538239
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Sea Front.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 27
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
13 HYDRO ENERGY; GULF STREAM; WATER CURRENT POWER GENERATORS; RESOURCE ASSESSMENT; COASTAL WATERS; EFFICIENCY; ELECTRIC GENERATORS; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS; FEASIBILITY STUDIES; FLORIDA; TURBOGENERATORS; UNDERWATER OPERATIONS; WATER CURRENTS; CURRENTS; FEDERAL REGION IV; NORTH AMERICA; SURFACE WATERS; USA; 130100* - Hydro Energy- Resources & Availability

Citation Formats

Smith, F G.W., and Charlier, R H. Turbines in the ocean. United States: N. p., 1981. Web.
Smith, F G.W., & Charlier, R H. Turbines in the ocean. United States.
Smith, F G.W., and Charlier, R H. 1981. "Turbines in the ocean". United States.
@article{osti_5538239,
title = {Turbines in the ocean},
author = {Smith, F G.W. and Charlier, R H},
abstractNote = {It is noted that the relatively high-speed ocean currents flowing northward along the east coast of the U.S. may be able to supply a significant proportion of the future electric power requirements of urban areas. The Gulf Stream core lies only about 20 miles east of Miami here its near-surface water reaches velocities of 4.3 miles per hour. Attention is called to the estimate that the energy available in the current of the Gulf Stream adjacent to Florida is approximately equivalent to that generated by 25 1,000-megawatt power plants. It is also contended that this power could be produced at competitive prices during the 1980s using large turbines moored below the ocean surface near the center of the Stream. Assuming an average ocean-current speed between 4 and 5 knots at the current core, the power density of a hydroturbine could reach 410 watts per square foot, about 100 times that of a wind-driven device of similar scale operating in an airflow of approximately 11 knots.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5538239}, journal = {Sea Front.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 27,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981},
month = {Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981}
}