The world needs a lot of energy for everyday life.
As the end of the generational reliance on fossil fuel-based energy production edges ever closer with every passing year, the renewable energy industry has been growing at a rapid pace, and one tidal “beast” may be the next big thing. Wind and solar dominate the subsector, but another form of energy has been overlooked.
How can one tidal “beast” power thousands of homes?
How the green energy evolution has played out over the past decade
Over the past ten years, renewable energy has shifted from an expensive alternative to a cheap form of energy generation that dominates the world.
The most significant impact has been on the global economy. Clean energy production costs have plummeted over the last decade, and they are rapidly becoming the most viable form of energy production that does not harm the planet.
In 2024 alone, the use of renewables as a main energy resource helped us to avoid roughly $467 million in fossil fuel costs.
With Operation Epic Fury impacting the global oil trade, renewable energy production will play a vital role for millions of us aiming to avoid the now sky-high gasoline and energy bills.
Despite the growth, the renewable energy sector has a few hurdles to clear
Our civilization has used the oil and coal industry to power our growth over the past 100 years or so.
As the renewable energy sector has only recently started to get the attention, and more importantly, the investments needed. The industry has not had enough time to develop into the dominant energy force for the world of tomorrow.
Many of us dream of a simple life away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. The problem is how to disconnect from the national grid.
While the progress made in developing new innovative forms of wind power production is a step in the right direction, even this renewable subsector faces the challenge of inconsistent weather conditions.
Innovations in renewable energy technology have become a regular occurrence in modern-day life.
New types of wind turbines and advancements in solar panel technology have created a paradox for society. Either commit to developing a clean energy infrastructure that can compete with the oil sector, or face issues such as the latest oil shortage in the Middle East.
A tidal “beast” that can power thousands of homes has emerged
Submerging energy systems in the sea is not a new trend by any measure, but it has taken a substantial amount of time for the technology to be developed.
The underwater highways in our oceans can provide us with vast amounts of power, and the newly announced Orbital O2 system can produce up to 2 MW of clean energy per year. As the average annual consumption of energy in the US sits around 10,791 KW, the Orbital O2 can easily power 2,000 homes for a year.
The innovative system makes use of 4 high-strength anchors acting as a four-point mooring system on the ocean floor.
The future of clean energy production is lurking in the deep
The design of the Orbital O2 system allows for most of the structure to float on the surface, which dramatically reduces the cost of installation. This tidal “beast” has been recognized as the most powerful tidal turbine anywhere in the world.
The Orbital system uses dual rotors that can pitch their blades as well as rotate them to capture energy from tidal currents in the ocean.
The energy generated is sent to the grid via a subsea cable, meaning there are no additional costs for transporting the energy to us. An ocean of energy is patiently waiting for us to reach down into the sea and bring it to the surface to power our world.
How would the tidal system affect your monthly electric bill?