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Sept 23rd

9/23/2013

 
Picturewww.guardian.co.uk
Work is to begin on the largest tidal turbine energy project in Europe after the Scottish government approved it. The predictable nature of tides makes them an ideal renewable energy source. Despite high costs, experts say tidal power is more reliable than wind.

Mankind must tackle climate change. The sun and moon's gravitational forces produce tidal energy which is completely free, just like the wind. We need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels through better and more efficient uses of energy. At the moment, The SeaGen project in Northern Ireland is the largest grid connected tidal turbine in the world.

MeyGen is to install the tidal array in stages in the Pentland Firth, between Orkney and the Scottish mainland. With careful planning the project will harness Scotland's huge wave and tidal energy to help cut climate emissions, while safeguarding the nation's tremendous marine environment.

Work will begin with a 9MW demonstration project of up to six turbines, with construction expected to take place on a phased basis until 2020. When fully operational, the 86MW array could generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 42,000 homes or 40% of the homes in the Highland.


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Essentially, engineers try to tap tides in two ways: one involves building barrages across tidal estuaries that use the ebb and flow of the waters to turn turbines. The other method involves planting turbines underwater in fast flowing tidal streams in areas such as in coastal waters around Cornwall and Scotland.

Cornwall? That's interesting. I've written nine novels set in Cornwall, five futuristic and four taking place in the present ... Add to that, one draft of how the world flooded. Six of the novels are already published. Of course, the one that springs to mind is the recently released novel Tidal Surge, which you'll see on the right. This ties in beautifully with the news today about tidal power.

Everyone has little voices inside their head. Some give advice for using a wise course of action, and others try to tempt us to do the wrong thing. From the bible, we learn that even Jesus told the devil to get behind him. These voices can be as powerful as the surge of the tide. In this novel, Mother and daughter battle during visions over good and evil thoughts, neither knowing who they are confronting. The main character in the novel, Liliha, sinks into visions where she sees through her contact's eyes and whispers advice.

Here's an excerpt from the novel:


* * * *

Relief flooded Liliha at helping someone through a difficult situation—her customary role restored. She regained awareness on the sofa next to Oliver.

"Are you okay?" Oliver's forehead furrowed with concern.

She nodded. "I helped a family escape a tidal surge. Did you bring me here?"

"Yes." He grasped her shoulder. "I want to protect you."

"It's all right. The vision was a normal one." The tenderness in his expression made her swallow. "Darling, I've been thinking about what's occurring."

Oliver frowned and the skin over his jaw tightened. "What's that?"

"Perhaps the person I help needs a difficult situation to trigger greater effort." She paused. "In the last vision, I was with Colleen. She was frightened of heights. The poor woman had to overcome that fear and let rescuers winch her up on a flimsy rope into a helicopter. She wouldn't have made the effort without her family's safety at risk."

"I see what you mean. We'd probably never push ourselves out of our comfort zone unless we had to. I wouldn't."

"Yes. That's it exactly."

Oliver gave a faint sigh and gazed into her eyes. "You've always said the human soul is powerful. You should believe in your ability to help people through whatever comes." He took her hand and stroked her fingers. "You're not blocking anything. You're strong, and wise ... and good."

He understood—he believed in her. Reaching out, Liliha slid her fingers down his cheek. "You're very precious to me."

"I love you too." He leant back on the cushions, staring through the studio window in the fading light.

Assessing the ring again, she held onto the hope that she could handle whatever occurred.

Pixie
9/22/2013 09:27:08 pm

Well I hadnt heard of tidal power before but it seems to be a good idea,and like you say more reliable than wind! We do need to combat climate change, but I'm not sure many people see it as something they need to do right now!

Francene Stanley link
9/23/2013 03:11:30 am

I'd say the sooner we start to find power another way, the better off our world will be.

The Great Gordino link
9/22/2013 10:10:37 pm

Tidal power is fascinating - I think it's growing in popularity in some Scandinavian countries too. No reason why it should not be used in my view, seems obvious, and curious as to why it hasn't - maybe it's a cost thing.
You're also right about our own voices turning into waves, and we can choose to stop the negative ones and make them positive ones - it takes some practice, but the results can be huge!
cheers,
Gordon

Francene Stanley link
9/23/2013 03:13:06 am

Cost, organization and motivation all play their part.
Love your thought about turning our negative inner voices to positive.


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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