Comments on: Belgium Plans Artificial Island For Wind Energy Storage

By: SpiffySolar

SpiffySolar — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 23:29:00 +0000

Make that “atoll” instead of “island.”

By: Dimitar Mirchev

Dimitar Mirchev — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 07:59:00 +0000

Err. I meant “insane” in the positive sense

If it turns out successful we’ll see more of these sea-holes in the future.

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 02:29:00 +0000

Someone was talking about it several years ago in one of the Great Lakes.
But, who had the idea is less important than who puts the idea to work. If this turns out to be a cost effective way to store energy for offshore wind farms it could be huge winner.

It would mean being able to supply the grid when needed. The need for curtailment would be eliminated. Transmission wire size could be minimized.
It would be simple to add additional capacity by simply enlarging the containment area.

It could even be used to store solar for the evening hours, given ample capacity.

By: Michael Bode

Michael Bode — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 01:52:00 +0000

I first heard of this idea about 4 years ago. Put forward by KEMA, Dutch energy management company.

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:39:00 +0000

They’re basically building a cofferdam, except it will be permanent.

This is an idea that has been around for a while. I’m glad to see someone giving it a go.

By: William Fowler

William Fowler — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:08:00 +0000

Not so insane. The turbine towers are hollow vessels, sometimes hundreds of feet below sea level. The pressures at depth are strong enough to easily drive micro turbines.

By: Dimitar Mirchev

Dimitar Mirchev — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:45:00 +0000

Insane!

Cost?

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 04:44:00 +0000

They aren’t building an island. They’re building a hole in the sea.