AN OCEAN OF ENERGY – JUST WHAT SOUTH AFRICA NEEDS

Few nations are as energy-hungry as South Africa (SA). A UK expert on ocean energies visited recently to consult on the potential of SA’s oceans to alleviate the nation’s growing deficit. (See SOUTH AFRICA: CANARY IN THE COAL MINE, SINGING FOR NEW ENERGY)

Professor Ian Bryden, chairperson/Department of Renewable Energy, University of Edinburgh in Scotland, assessed the SA ocean energy potential as “excellent.”

The biggest challenge remaining for wave energy: Proving it can be generated at a cost-competitive rate.

Professor Bryden: "We are still doing tests off the coasts of several countries…[Cost is] the biggest challenge, not proving that it works."

Ocean energies fall into 3 broad categories, wave, tide and currents. Wave energy comes (a) from devices floating on the ocean’s surface that translate the up and down or in and out motion and (b) from devices at the shoreline that capture the force of the waves that break through them. Tide energy comes from (a) devices on the ocean floor or (b) devices across estuaries that capture the force of tides coming in or going out. Current energy comes from turbines on (a) ocean or (b) river bottoms that capture current flows like wind turbines capture wind currents.

Any of these motions can drive devices that generate electricity.

Professor Bryden told SA political and research leaders the key to moving the technology forward is investment by governments in R&D projects.

Professor Bryden: "There is a large gap between technological proof and economic viability, but most industries go through this phase."

Bryden discounted worries about environmental impacts if ocean energy installations are properly placed.

Professor Bryden: "Research is being conducted to determine the effect, but I predict the impact should be largely minimal. The devices installed on the coastline would be installed in areas where you want to change the coast, like a breakwater…"

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“Sea could solve SA’s electricity woes’
Barry Bateman, August 30, 2008 (Pretoria News via IOL)

WHO
Professor Ian Bryden, chairperson/Department of Renewable Energy, University of Edinburgh in Scotland; Finavera Renewables

WHAT
Professor Bryden visited South Africa to consult with academics about the development of SA’s wave energy. Finavera Renewables is developing a 20-megawatt project off SA’s coast.

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WHEN
- Professor Bryden has studied ocean energy for 30 years.
- Bryden described the technology as in the testing stage but said the UK would begin harvesting electricity within 2 years.
- Finavera Renewables will develop a wave energy project off SA over 5 years

WHERE
- Bryden described SA’s ocean energy potential as better than most of Europe’s but not as good as Britain’s west coast.
- Finavera Renewables is based in Canada. Its is wave energy installation is off the coast of SA’s Western Cape.

WHY
- Estimates put SA’s ocean energy potential at 50 kilowatt per metre of wave front.
- The UK’s goal is to obtain 3 gigawatts of electricity from its ocean energies. Foreseeable ommerical development there is attributable to government funding.
- Finavera Renewables’ 20 megawatt wave-energy power plant off SA’s Western Cape will cost ~$40-million (R308,5 million).
- Finavera Renewables is presently doing site assessments (location infrastructure, wave resource, environmental characteristics) and working through the government permit process
- Bryden’s agenda in SA was partially arranged by the British High Commission in Pretoria.
- Among others, Bryden met with: South African National Energy Research Institute (Saneri), engineers from Eskom, the Stellenbosch University's energy resource centre.

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QUOTES
- Professor Ian Bryden, chairperson/Department of Renewable Energy, University of Edinburgh in Scotland: "Being an expert would imply that the technology is static…"
- Professor Bryden: "We exchanged information and held open talks on wave power…There is a real possibility of joint research work. This is the start of the process and, when I get back, I will look at common areas in which the two institutions can work on together…"
- Professor Bryden: "…there is enormous technical and fundamental work still required…"
- Professor Bryden: "South Africa is an attractive research partner because of the high level of technical capability and good quality universities."