LOCATION/TYPE

NEWS HOME


[ exact phrase in "" • results by date ]

[ Google-powered • results by relevance ]

Archive
RSS

Add NWW headlines to your site (click here)

WHAT TO DO
when your community is targeted

Get weekly updates
RSS

RSS feeds and more

Keep Wind Watch online and independent!

Donate via Stripe

Donate via Paypal

Selected Documents

All Documents

Research Links

Alerts

Press Releases

FAQs

Campaign Material

Photos & Graphics

Videos

Allied Groups

Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005.

News Watch Home

Ocean is future for energy needs, anti-wind farm campaigners claim 

Credit:  Mark O'Regan | Irish Independent | Published 15 April 2014 | www.independent.ie ~~

Campaigners against wind farms say the Government should look to the ocean for our energy needs.

Amid stark warnings that we have two decades to stave off hugely dangerous climate changes, there remains staunch resistance to certain types of renewable energy.

Wind farms have been particularly contentious while ocean power has “massive potential” as a renewable energy source for Ireland, campaigners claim.

Andrew Duncan, from the Lakelands Windfarm Information Group, which has members in Meath, Laois, Offaly and Kildare, says it could become a “real alternative” to wind energy.

Mr Duncan – whose organisation is strongly opposed to the introduction of wind farms – insists that wave, tidal and ocean energy technologies are advancing rapidly.

“There is massive potential there with ocean technologies, and we need to have an informed debate in terms of this being the most effective renewable energy for Ireland. It should be examined more closely,” Mr Duncan said.

The debate on climate change has intensified following a new UN report saying the need for renewable energy production is crucial to halt global warming.

“We’re told we don’t have a rich tidal resource, but I don’t see how that is the case,” he added.

“We need something consistent. Even if wave power were to work and be 35pc or 40pc efficient, it would be a long way ahead of wind power.

“Wind is so intermittent and only operates in a very limited way.”

He said the group is “as concerned about the environment as anybody else” and there is an urgent need for “meaningful” solutions in this area.

The first wave energy farm in Europe will begin operating off Killard in Co Clare, near Doonbeg, in 2018.

The ESB says the West Wave project – costing between €40m and €50m – will see five wave energy devices deployed in the Atlantic.

It is hoping to prove the fledgling technology is capable of producing reliable power on an ongoing basis.

It is part of the ESB’s objective to produce 26pc of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025, and become ‘carbon neutral’ by 2050.

Tony Lowes, a director with Friends of the Irish Environment, agreed that ocean technologies are the “most promising” energy option currently available.

He also said with the right investment Ireland has the potential to become a “world leader” in the area.

“It’s certainly one of the most sustainable sources of energy in Ireland,” he said.

“Technology indicates that it is not necessary to float anything on the surface. There may be sufficient movement underneath to generate power in a way that is sustainable, and long term, without causing any damage to the environment.”

Ray Conroy, from the Laois Wind Energy Awareness Group (LWEAG), believes the focus should now shift away from wind farms towards energy harnessed from the power of water.

“In just the past week the European Union has said that the future of energy dependence for the whole of the Continent lies in the ocean.

“The technology doesn’t exist at the moment but things are progressing all the time and it’s the way forward

“The European Commission said 90pc of Europe’s needs could be provided by the ocean.”

Industry experts say technological development in this area is advancing rapidly and, in certain circumstances, has huge potential for generating power.

But research also shows wave energy can be highly vulnerable to the extremes of the Atlantic weather system – such as gales and heavy storms.

Source:  Mark O'Regan | Irish Independent | Published 15 April 2014 | www.independent.ie

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

Wind Watch relies entirely
on User Contributions
   Donate via Stripe
(via Stripe)
Donate via Paypal
(via Paypal)

Share:

e-mail X FB LI M TG TS G Share


News Watch Home

Get the Facts
CONTACT DONATE PRIVACY ABOUT SEARCH
© National Wind Watch, Inc.
Use of copyrighted material adheres to Fair Use.
"Wind Watch" is a registered trademark.

 Follow:

Wind Watch on X Wind Watch on Facebook Wind Watch on Linked In

Wind Watch on Mastodon Wind Watch on Truth Social

Wind Watch on Gab Wind Watch on Bluesky