Ocean Current Energy in Florida

Is the ocean Florida's untapped energy source?

The answer to easing the energy crunch in one of the nation's most populous states could lie underwater.

Imagine if your utility company could harness the ocean's current to power your house, cool your office, even charge your car. Researchers at Florida Atlantic University are in the early stages of turning that idea into reality in the powerful Gulf Stream off the state's eastern shore.

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Saving $1.2 Trillion through Energy Efficiency

Part of making a transition to alternative energy and getting off of carbon-emitting fossil fuels will be to become more efficient with our energy use.

A new report from the consulting firm McKinsey found that a upfront investment in energy efficiency through relatively simple efforts such as sealing leaky building ducts and replacing inefficient household appliances with new, energy-saving models could save up to $1.2 trillion dollars through 2020.

This investment in energy efficiency could cut the country’s projected energy use in 2020 by about 23 percent — a savings that would be “greater than the total of energy consumption of Canada,” said Ken Ostrowski, a senior partner in McKinsey’s Atlanta office, at a press event in Washington this morning.

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Wave Energy Report - Regulatory Framework

The Oregon Wave Energy Trust (OWET) has released a new report that summarizes the regulatory framework for State and Federal permitting of wave energy projects click here. The report is an informational tool for stakeholders involved with the regulatory process. It identifies the most relevant state and regulatory requirements, explains the authorization process, and identifies the lead and participating agencies for each authorization. Also, on Sept 15-16, OWET is hosting the 2009 Ocean Renewable Energy Conference in Seaside, OR. For more info and to register click here.

Planning for coastal wind farms in MA

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You can't be interested in coastal wind energy in the US without knowing about the long, drawn out controversy surrounding the Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound off of Massachusetts.

To address issues surrounding competing uses and marine conservation, Massachusetts is leading the national in develop a plan to direct using of its coastal waters. The Massachusetts Ocean Plan is designed to balance commercial and recreational activities with conservation needs, including zones for the development of wind energy.

Read here to learn more about plan for wind energy in MA.