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February 4, 2010

Are Wave Farms the Next Big Thing for Hydro Power

Hydro power is the user of water to produce power. Traditionally, this has been done with the use of rivers by harnessing the power of their currents. This technology has worked in much the same way as the technology used to capture wind is used; the current turns a turbine, which in turn causes gears to turn a generator and create electricity.

That is the way hydropower has happened in the past, but there are other types of power produced by water. Waves in the ocean have always been a source of power that people have sought. It is a wealth of kinetic energy that technology has struggled to harness into a useful form of energy like electricity or hydrogen. However, through the development of new technology, wave farms are beginning to produce energy that can be used to power homes, towns, and cities.

Consider the technology used and the development of new wave farms and you will see that it is quite possible that wave farms are the next big thing for hydropower.

Converting the Energy

Until recently, it was unclear how wave energy could be captured. Because waves move in a number of directions, are not necessarily fast like a river, and because the ocean can be so corrosive and difficult to manage, engineers had been at an impasse. Now, though, there is something that can effectively be used to harvest wave power.

The Pelamis Wave Energy Converter

There is a new technology that uses the overall motion that ocean waves have on the surface of the sea. It is called the pelamis wave energy converter and it is made to take that motion and convert it to electricity.

The biggest reason that the Pelamis machine seems to work is that it designed more to hold up under the conditions of the sea rather than to try to convert every bit of energy. What that means is that instead of the technology struggling to absorb all the energy in every wave, it only takes part of the energy. In rough weather, that means that the machine will not struggle to take on too much.

The machine is made up of a number of cylinder shaped sections that are jointed together. The pieces, which are partially under water move with the waves. As each one moves, they pump oil through motors causing them to drive generators. The generators in turn produce electricity. Even though the Pelamis device operates at mere 15% efficiency, 30 of them can provide power for as many as 20,000 homes.

Farms

Since the Pelamis machines have been shown in tests to work pretty well, wave farms are starting to pop up. The first such farm to be used commercially was installed in Portugal. At first, the farm was made up of only 3 Pelamis machines, but as the farm begins to have success, there are plans to up the number of machines so that as many as 1,500 households can be supported by the wave farm. Additionally, there are plans to construct a wave farm off the coast of Scotland, which will also be able to supplement the power sources the country already has in place.

It is possible that wave farms are a fad, but with the success the one in Portugal has had and the possibilities opened up by the Pelamis machine, it is unlikely. The fact is that the next big thing in hydropower will likely be the use of wave farms to supplement power to nations all over the world. Since wave power is clean and renewable, that is surely a good thing too.

About the Author: Josh Hayes is the websmaster of several websites. His newest site is www.uniquefundraisingideas.org. This website talks about ideas such as church fundraising ideas and cookie dough fundraising. If you need some ideas about fundraising please visit this website.Hydro power is the user of water to produce power. Traditionally, this has been done with the use of rivers by harnessing the power of their currents. This technology has worked in much the same way as the technology used to capture wind is used; the current turns a turbine, which in turn causes gears to turn a generator and create electricity.

That is the way hydropower has happened in the past, but there are other types of power produced by water. Waves in the ocean have always been a source of power that people have sought. It is a wealth of kinetic energy that technology has struggled to harness into a useful form of energy like electricity or hydrogen. However, through the development of new technology, wave farms are beginning to produce energy that can be used to power homes, towns, and cities.

Consider the technology used and the development of new wave farms and you will see that it is quite possible that wave farms are the next big thing for hydropower.

Converting the Energy

Until recently, it was unclear how wave energy could be captured. Because waves move in a number of directions, are not necessarily fast like a river, and because the ocean can be so corrosive and difficult to manage, engineers had been at an impasse. Now, though, there is something that can effectively be used to harvest wave power.

The Pelamis Wave Energy Converter

There is a new technology that uses the overall motion that ocean waves have on the surface of the sea. It is called the pelamis wave energy converter and it is made to take that motion and convert it to electricity.

The biggest reason that the Pelamis machine seems to work is that it designed more to hold up under the conditions of the sea rather than to try to convert every bit of energy. What that means is that instead of the technology struggling to absorb all the energy in every wave, it only takes part of the energy. In rough weather, that means that the machine will not struggle to take on too much.

The machine is made up of a number of cylinder shaped sections that are jointed together. The pieces, which are partially under water move with the waves. As each one moves, they pump oil through motors causing them to drive generators. The generators in turn produce electricity. Even though the Pelamis device operates at mere 15% efficiency, 30 of them can provide power for as many as 20,000 homes.

Farms

Since the Pelamis machines have been shown in tests to work pretty well, wave farms are starting to pop up. The first such farm to be used commercially was installed in Portugal. At first, the farm was made up of only 3 Pelamis machines, but as the farm begins to have success, there are plans to up the number of machines so that as many as 1,500 households can be supported by the wave farm. Additionally, there are plans to construct a wave farm off the coast of Scotland, which will also be able to supplement the power sources the country already has in place.

It is possible that wave farms are a fad, but with the success the one in Portugal has had and the possibilities opened up by the Pelamis machine, it is unlikely. The fact is that the next big thing in hydropower will likely be the use of wave farms to supplement power to nations all over the world. Since wave power is clean and renewable, that is surely a good thing too.

Hydro power is the user of water to produce power. Traditionally, this has been done with the use of rivers by harnessing the power of their currents. This technology has worked in much the same way as the technology used to capture wind is used; the current turns a turbine, which in turn causes gears to turn a generator and create electricity.

That is the way hydropower has happened in the past, but there are other types of power produced by water. Waves in the ocean have always been a source of power that people have sought. It is a wealth of kinetic energy that technology has struggled to harness into a useful form of energy like electricity or hydrogen. However, through the development of new technology, wave farms are beginning to produce energy that can be used to power homes, towns, and cities.

Consider the technology used and the development of new wave farms and you will see that it is quite possible that wave farms are the next big thing for hydropower.

Converting the Energy

Until recently, it was unclear how wave energy could be captured. Because waves move in a number of directions, are not necessarily fast like a river, and because the ocean can be so corrosive and difficult to manage, engineers had been at an impasse. Now, though, there is something that can effectively be used to harvest wave power.

The Pelamis Wave Energy Converter

There is a new technology that uses the overall motion that ocean waves have on the surface of the sea. It is called the pelamis wave energy converter and it is made to take that motion and convert it to electricity.

The biggest reason that the Pelamis machine seems to work is that it designed more to hold up under the conditions of the sea rather than to try to convert every bit of energy. What that means is that instead of the technology struggling to absorb all the energy in every wave, it only takes part of the energy. In rough weather, that means that the machine will not struggle to take on too much.

The machine is made up of a number of cylinder shaped sections that are jointed together. The pieces, which are partially under water move with the waves. As each one moves, they pump oil through motors causing them to drive generators. The generators in turn produce electricity. Even though the Pelamis device operates at mere 15% efficiency, 30 of them can provide power for as many as 20,000 homes.

Farms

Since the Pelamis machines have been shown in tests to work pretty well, wave farms are starting to pop up. The first such farm to be used commercially was installed in Portugal. At first, the farm was made up of only 3 Pelamis machines, but as the farm begins to have success, there are plans to up the number of machines so that as many as 1,500 households can be supported by the wave farm. Additionally, there are plans to construct a wave farm off the coast of Scotland, which will also be able to supplement the power sources the country already has in place.

It is possible that wave farms are a fad, but with the success the one in Portugal has had and the possibilities opened up by the Pelamis machine, it is unlikely. The fact is that the next big thing in hydropower will likely be the use of wave farms to supplement power to nations all over the world. Since wave power is clean and renewable, that is surely a good thing too.

About the Author: Josh Hayes is the webmaster of several websites. His newest site is uniquefundraisingideas.org.  There are great articles about church fundraising ideas and cookie dough fundraising.  If you need some fundraising ideas please visit this site.

Filed under Beyond Random Ramblings by Arjuna

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Antarctic Life

Dallas, TX, USA, and the South Pole share one thing - it is likely to reach 100 degrees there in July.Granted, the South Pole sees temperatures of 100 degrees below zero, not above.Human flesh that is exposed to the cold can freeze in a matter of seconds.

Twenty-eight people have dedicated six months of their lives to living at the South Pole with no sunlight, practically no contact with the world and no avenue of escape.This crew is responsible for operating the United States’ polar base, which includes manning the research station’s telescopes and other equipment.Thankfully, their jobs are becoming easier thanks to modern technology.

Recently North American astronomers were able to control the South Pole observatory’s telescope using satellite communications.This made history as the first time a South Pole telescope was controlled from another continent.It is the hope of Astronomers that some day they will be able to view the universe using the South Pole telescopes from warmer climates.affordable antarctica tours

But the crew at the South Pole will experience the coldest, driest and windiest weather to be found on the planet.With the elevations here being higher than anywhere else on the planet, they also have to deal with breathing issues.Therefore, only plants and animals that have adapted to the cold can survive there, such as various algaes, tundra vegetation, seals, and penguins.

The people who accept the challenge of working through a winter in Antarctica are referred to as “winter-overs.”They have the privileges of a large variety of videos, a small exercise room, computers, a pool table and fabulous food.Normally, winter-overs do not speak much about what occurs during their winter months of isolation at the South Pole, from February to October.antarctic tours

One challenge faced by this crew is that the research program at the South Pole has continually grown and the research station is facing a great challenge in having a steady and consistent electrical supply.There are three oil-burning generators and these units are not enough to keep up with the demands of the technology that is being constantly introduced to the research program.Due to this issue, winter-overs find themselves dealing with the added problems of inadequate power, cramped quarters and cold buildings.

They often turn to traditions to help pass the time.If there’s a day in which the outside temperature is more than 100 degrees below zero, you can join the “300 Club.”This is when winter-overs get the sauna temperatures up to 200 degrees.Then the winter-overs in the “300 Club” race out into the minus 100 degree temperatures and then back inside.

They also look forward to the annual airdrop.Every June a delivery of food, mail, and supplies are dropped by a U.S. Air National Guard military transport plane.The winter-overs anxiously bring their treasures into the station with the help of heavy equipment.That single airdrop is the most contact with another person these people get in six months of occupation.

They do not even get to see a tree or travel more than a mile from the pole.Each crew member gets a one week vacation to the United States’ main Antarctic base, McMurdo Station.They take advantage of this time to camp out in lovely 25-degree weather, bake in the sun on the beach, and relax in t-shirts and jeans.

Filed under Travel and Leisure by Joshua

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Signing Up For CNA Training

Taking the CNA test is important if you plan on becoming a nurse. In many hospitals and health institutions nursing assistants are used. However, most medical institutions prefer hiring assistants who have successfully taken and passed the CNA test. Writing the CAN test, is a process that involves various steps some of which are.

CNA Classes

In order to learn all that is required of you, it is important that you attend a CNA class. These classes are offered by various services. Many hospitals, health care or local Red Cross facilities for instance contribute in this area. Each center offers a varied timetable on the length of the class. People are therefore urged to ensure that the duration of the class rightly meets their intended CAN test date. Free CAN training can also be found in some cases depending on who your employer. This option of free training can also be found in some states. Sitting for the CAN test does not require much other than that although some states do insist on a college diploma.

CAN training classes cover a multitude of topics. A few of these are body mechanics, physiology, nutrition, and infection control. Patient care is also properly addressed during these classes. Assistants are also trained on how best to advise and guide patients. These training courses are normally handled by nurses and aides who themselves are registered and licensed to practice within the state.

Taking the CNA Test

On completion of the class, people are safe to take the CAN test. People who successfully pass the test are then provided with the certification recognizing their new status as a professional nursing assistant. The test is made up of two different stages. People are first tested on practical aspects on the CAN before subsequently undergoing a written test. In order to better prepare for these tests, it is not uncommon for people to take practice questions with the aim of better preparing themselves for the test ahead.

Although the journey towards being a CNA is hardly an easy one, it is one that is extremely rewarding. It is certainly an interesting and engaging job. With dedicated study and reading, there is every reason why you should excel in your test.

I encourage you check this this website for more information on CNA training classes

Filed under Education by Joshua

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