The Tide Tec Company is willing to explore the potential of electricity production from energy harnessed from the tides and waves of Pakistan’s oceans. The company says it intends to setup on-shore plants in Karachi.
Tidal and wave energy falls under the category of inexhaustible energy resources. In a plant using wave energy, energy harnessed from waves produced in a channel or ocean is used to run turbines, which in turn power generators that produce electricity. Tide Tec specialises in developing technology for energy producing bridges that harness the potential of tidal and wave energy.
Tidal energy is an environment-friendly and more predictable resource, as compared to wind energy. The cost for establishing a wave energy infrastructure is approximately equal to a wind-based power plant.
Before the company starts operating in Pakistan, it will have to pass through a rigorous process: it has to convince policymakers; get approvals; and seek various sorts of no-objection certificates from almost two dozen government departments.
The company enjoyed a small measure of success when Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh promised to facilitate the investment during a meeting with Arne Kollandsrud, Tide Tec’s chief executive.
According to a finance ministry handout, the company will follow procedures – including technology verification, a pre-study, a scale-test and full-scale production – for the establishment of a wave/tidal-based energy production system in Pakistan.
The company briefed the finance minister about the working of the technology, possible challenges, and procedural steps necessary for the installation of a wave and tidal-based power plant. Endorsing the idea, the finance minister has asked Tide Tec to also brief the Planning Commission, officials of the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB), the Ministry of Water and Power, the Central Power Purchasing Agency and the Planning Department of the Sindh government within a few days to further work out the details of the project.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 18th, 2012.
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Hydel energy is no doubt the cheapest source of energy... India has over 4,000 big & small dams whereas Pakistan has only 70. Pakistanis could never agree to Kalabagh dam and are destined to live in the dark till these selfish conspiring elements with vested interest are thrown out of the country.
The answer to the first issue is nets to keep fishes out of moving parts. This I know is a superficial solution but no more superficial then the problems copied and pasted@Sid:
Tidal power issues:
Ecological: Tidal power can have effects on marine life. The turbines can accidentally kill swimming sea life with the rotating blades. Some fishes may no longer utilize the area if they were threatened with a constant rotating object.
Corrosion: Salt water causes corrosion in metal parts. It can be difficult to maintain tidal stream generators due to their size and depth in the water. Mechanical fluids, such as lubricants, can leak out, which may be harmful to the marine life nearby. Proper maintenance can minimize the amount of harmful chemicals that may enter the environment.
Courtesy Wikipedia.
We must welcome Norwegian Tide Tec Company for introducing tidal and wave energy. Ministry of Water and Power may demand validation and verification reports of such plants.It has been mentioned that cost of tidal power plant is approximately equal to wind mill, What is the running cost per unit and power generating capacity of plant may also be mentioned including its maintenance cost?.If all these parameters have already been incorporated then waiver on rigorous procedures and NOC's be relaxed.The CEO of company may be asked to provide the list of already installed plants by the company along with their dates of installation.The other apprehension is about probable challenges which company is likely to confront these may further be elaborated.I suggest Ministry of Water & Power may prepare a check list including above points before deliberation with CEO of company.