Tides hold promise of electricity (Snohomish County WA PUD)

[jpak]

http://heraldnet.com/stories/07/02/11/100loc_a1sunpower001.cfm

DECEPTION PASS - The unbridled might of the Pacific Ocean flows unchecked for 100 miles through the Strait of Juan de Fuca before it slams into the west side of Whidbey Island.

Much of that power funnels into Deception Pass, a narrow gap between Whidbey and Fidalgo islands. Four times each day white-tipped swells rush in and out of this canyon's sheer rock walls, each time roaring like the river early explorers thought this pass was.

<snip>

The utility sees as many as 1,662 turbines on the bottom of Puget Sound, according to permits filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

<snip>

Together the turbines would generate about 100 megawatts of electricity on average, enough for 60,000 homes - about every house and apartment in Mukilteo, Everett and Marysville.

<more>

[montanacowboy]

1. Europe has been harnessing the ocean

for years; we are a little slow to catch on over here

[sinkingfeeling]

2. We visited an electric plant in Nova Scotia last Sept. driven by the tides.

Their tides come in fast and high and it was amazing.

[kestrel91316]

3. I wonder if that's the Bay of Fundy, with the biggest tidal surges

on record.......

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Think it was near Wolfville which is on the Minas Basin and I guess, is a

part of the Bay of Fundy.