Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The primary hazard associated with operation and maintenance of hydrokinetic
energy devices and associated components is the risk of drowning while working on or
above water. The potential health and safety risks that could result in injuries and fatal-
ities include onboard accidents, collisions between the vessel or barge and marine ves-
sels, and natural events, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and severe storms.
Also, other marine vessels could collide with the wave energy devices. Deploying
navigational aids such as lighting and foghorns would minimize vessel collisions with
wave energy devices. All personnel involved with the operations and maintenance
activities would utilize appropriate safety equipment and would be properly trained in
required Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) practices.
MARINE AND HYDROKINETIC ENERGY: THE BOTTOM LINE
The three forms of ocean energy—tidal, wave, and ocean thermal energy conver-
sion (OTEC) systems—are all renewable. This is a significant advantage over fossil
fuels and other energy forms that pollute the environment. Although all three forms
of ocean energy show promise for future development, it is the OTEC systems that
appear to be most beneficial for use at the present time. OTEC systems provide both
economic and noneconomic benefits. On the other hand, OTEC power plants have the
potential to cause major adverse impacts on ocean water quality. Such plants would
require entrainment and discharging enormous quantities of seawater. Sea surface
temperatures in the vicinity of an OTEC plant could be lowered by the discharge of
effluent from the cold-water pipe. Biocides, such as chlorine, may be irritating or
toxic to organisms. OTEC plants could result in an upwelling of nutrients from the
bottom and the subsequent growth of large algal blooms (Abbasi and Abbasi, 2000).
The bottom line? Few marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies have
been tested at full scale, and it is therefore difficult to resolve all of the uncertainties
about their specific environmental effects.
THOUGHT-PROVOKING QUESTIONS
7.1
Is tidal energy a beneficial source of renewable energy? Explain your answer.
7.2
It has been said that tidal energy is expensive. Does it matter?
7.3
Tidal energy systems must be located near coastal areas. Is the tradeoff of
lost land area worth it?
REFERENCES AND RECOMMENDED READING
Abbasi, S.A. and Abbasi, N. (2000). The likely adverse environmental impacts of renewable
energy sources.
Applied Energy
, 65: 121-144.
Antizar-Ladislao, B. (2008). Environmental levels, toxicity, and human exposure to tributyl-
tin (TBT)-contaminated marine environment: a review.
Environmental International
,
34(2008): 292-308.
Arenas, P. and Hall, M. (1992). The association of sea turtles and other pelagic fauna with
floating objects in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. In:
Proceedings of the Eleventh
Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation
, Jekyll Island, GA, February
