Oct 19 2010
A recent report delivered at the EurOCEAN 2010 seminar by the Marine Board of the European Science Foundation indicates that 50% of electric power requirements of Europe will be met by renewable energy from marine resources by the year 2050.
The marine renewable energy sources include generated power from offshore wind turbines, tide and wave energy, ocean current and use of sea-algae for production of biofuel. Tapping of temperature and salinity changes is also included in the list. Marine energy with its copious resource availability is expected to contribute considerably towards the renewable energy supply and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
The report stresses for a continued support for Marine renewable energy research for development and to promote improvement and the need for introducing the required procedures for environmental monitoring. The report suggests several steps to achieve such a goal. It suggests creating a fund for the purpose within the European Commission’s frame work to conduct research programs with collaboration from the industries and the universities. It stresses the immediate need for assessing the available marine renewable resources in Europe and developing regulations for proper eco- monitoring. It reiterates the need to develop an educational program with proper training exclusively for the marine energy development. It suggests the need for establishing a common offshore grid for carrying the developed power.
Lars Horn, Chair of the Marine Board and a representative of the Research Council of Norway said that the marine renewable energy though is still in its infancy state it has the potential to meet 50% of the total energy requirement. He added that it could be achieved with joint effort, sustained research and friendly policies. He added that such production will also reduceCO2 emissions and its adverse consequences on environment while introducing more jobs in the renewable energy sector.
Source: http://www.esf.org/