Marine Turbine Power Generation – 3rd Entry into the Wild Energy Challenge – Please Cast Your Vote
This is an entry into the Adult section of Wild Energy. If you like this entry please give it a rating out of five stars (see the bottom of this page).
Crest Energy applied in 2006 for RMA consents to construct a marine turbine power generation station in the Kaipara Harbour, Northland. The Project comprises up to 200 completely submerged and invisible marine tidal turbines with a maximum generating capacity of around 200MW, located near the entrance of the Harbour. The project is before the Environment Court.
Crest Energy estimate its plans when fully implemented may contribute 3% of New Zealand’s electricity supply by harnessing the power of the tidal flows in to and out of the Kaipara Harbour.
The harbour is one of the largest harbours in the world covering 900 square kilometres with 3,000 kilometres of shoreline. The Kaipara extends for 60 kilometres north to south.
Tidal turbines follow similar principles to wind turbines, except that it is possible to forecast the tides and therefore both the level of generation and the 
time of day for production of power. There are about ten companies constructing tidal turbines and others joining the industry, mainly from northern Europe and North America.
Tidal and wind power generation have many similarities and some differences. Since sea water is 830 times denser than air the same flow speed generates several hundred times more power in water than in air. In addition tidal turbines are totally submerged and therefore invisible, and silent.
The project maintains New Zealand’s tradition of harnessing renewable energy. About 60% of New Zealand’s electricity is produced from hydroelectric, geothermal, wind and other sustainable sources.
Crest Energy hopes its application to use the resources of Kaipara Harbour for 35 years will be approved by mid 2011. The initial capital requirement is estimated to be approximately NZ$40 million. Estimated total costs over ten years are about NZ$600 million, offset by modest but growing revenues from year three. Annual revenue from 200 turbines is theoretically up to NZ$100 million at current wholesale electricity prices.
Please visit www.crest-energy.com for further information.
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Tags: green energy, tidal
This is a great idea and should be a government priority instead of trying to raise funds by selling off valuable state assets.
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This is being deployed in New York’s East River by Verdant Power. Here’s an article: Tidal Power Rolls In on Ecocentric Blog. Apparently it works well enough.
So, the NZ government is having a fire sale as well? Welcome to the new world economy, where governments sell assets to cover operations – it’s like eating your own arm, eventually you run out of food….
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Are there answers yet about the Impact on the seabed?
What is known about changes to marine currents, and risk of pollution?
How will it affect marine fauna?
Will the underwater noise affect marine species’ communication, movement and navigation?
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