Harvesting Energy from Ocean Current

Abstract

Electricity is a need of greater necessity for the development of a civilization. Currently, the use of fossil fuels is the largest source of energy worldwide. This method of energy production is harmful because the carbon dioxide (CO₂) released by burning these fuels is largely the basis of global warming and climate change. Hence the necessity of producing energy in sustainable ways which are not harmful to the environment. The study presented in this paper aims to harvest energy from the ocean.  The Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) data collected on the east coast of South Africa indicates that the Agulhas current has the potential of ocean current energy resources. This method is based on the training of turbines submerged in the ocean by the ocean current. This paper shows a review of different types of ocean current energy conversion and focuses on the horizontal axis marine current turbine. Results reveal that the method is suitable for big scale projects. This system does not produce any kind of pollution and proves to be a solution that will reduce the use of coal for electric generation in power plants. This is one of the best ways that will contribute to the country’s electricity production and demand.