Blue energy includes all sorts of energy by which means water can be generated. The known forms of blue energy, such as waterfall in the mountains and dams, will be complemented by electricity from tidal change, waves and differences in the concentration of salinity.
There are many energy sources which are not harmful for the environment. Blue energy also falls into the category of “sustainable (green) energy.”
Often the term “blue energy” is assigned to the difference in salinity concentration. There are many forms of blue energy which can be surprising for us.
A brief overview of the “blue” energy forms are described to address the following issues:
Dams / waterfall.
Change tide.
Waves.
Salinity concentration.
1. Dams / Waterfall
Dams make their energy due to the height difference between two levels. The water will go down in the energy (fall) acceleration to the blades by means movement. These vanes will be coupled to a shaft generator (similar to the blades / vanes of a windmill).
The energy that is created is called kinetic energy (also referred to as motion energy) during the fall, which is described in physics by the formula: 1/2 * M * V².
Calculation example 1
When a mass (M) taking 1000KG and velocity (V) assuming 5.0 m / s, this calculation produces “clean” energy of 12500 joules. This is equivalent to an output of 12500 watts / sec.
Note: This calculation is made “P” to give you an impression of the power that can be generated. Through this method, you can find the energy during the fall.
The actual energy transferred to the grid is lower by the losses of the piping, turbine and shaft generator. Get a 25% -50% from and you have the ability per second generated by 1000KG water. How much water is passed depends on rainfall and melt water from the mountains.
Benefits
Inexhaustible source.
Emissions zero.
Disadvantages
Not on a large scale.
Expensive to buy.
2. Tidal Change
Near rivers or ports mouths to open sea and where there are large tidal differences, there will be turbines are recovered underwater energy. Size tidal differences between high and low water will weigh bring a strong current and will bring a lot of energy.
A disadvantage of this form of energy is that it is not a constant source of energy,because it completely depends on the flow of water and when the full high or low completely water is even there will be delivered a minimum flow to the generators.
This “problem” can be solved by placing a dam in the river, which allows a constant steaming to ebb and flow, but put a dam in a river also has its drawbacks when the ecological process is disrupted and the inland traffic, it is not possible to pass through these dams without any constraint.
Sample calculation 2
Again, can be used here, the calculation formula from Example 1. Suppose an average speed (V) of 4 m / s, and a mass (M) of 1000KG, then deliver these generators 8000 Joule. This is therefore again equal to 8000 watts / sec.
Benefits
Inexhaustible source.
Emissions zero.
Disadvantages
Relatively expensive (sustainable development is still in its infancy).
Energy source is not constant.
Possibly obstructing the traffic.
Disruption of the ecological system.
3. Blue Energy Waves
Waves that are connected via a conduit with a tank will swap the level in this tank. The waves cause changes in air pressure in a tank because the water itself is not compressible. This air is led through a turbine which is coupled to a generator (similar to wind turbines).
Benefits
Inexhaustible source.
Emissions zero.
Disadvantages
Corrosion, comes into contact with a lot of salt!
Depending on swell.
Relatively expensive.
4. Concentration Salinity
This form of energy uses the salinity difference between fresh water (brackish) and salt water (sea). The plant will be used at the dam, where a lake or river as a freshwater source and serves as the Sea saltwater source.
The principle of this is to guide around the two liquids along each other, which are separated by the ion-selective membranes. The salt water contains more sodium chloride (Na + Cl-) than the fresh water and there will thereby a reaction to take place.
Positive and negative charges will skip which will be absorbed by the ion-selective membranes. That is to say, that a membrane, consisting of polymers, will let only positive or negative ions.
In order to discharge the ions to the cathode and anode to be used in order to initiate a flow of electrons. This form of energy is still in its infancy. The current yield is still only around 12%.
Yet this form of energy in my eyes a very interesting source given the extent of the amount of salt and fresh water.
Benefits
Inexhaustible source.
Emissions zero.
Disadvantages
Very large amounts are required.
Requires a lot of maintenance.
The membranes must be kept free of debris.
Expensive to buy.
