Renewable energy sources are in ever increasing demand as we strive to move away from a fossil-fuel-based economy. In-stream tidal energy extraction is one renewable resource available in the United States that shows great promise for implementation. In-stream devices extract energy from tidal currents in the ocean and in near-ocean estuaries. Tidal in-stream turbines extract kinetic energy from the stream flowing through the turbine.
The goal of this project is to look at the application of these technologies to work with the Chewonki Foundation and the town of Wiscasset to provide a tidal energy system for the production of low cost low impact energy for the community. Support on this project will come from Maine Maritime faculty, graduate students working on the project at UMaine and MIT and a number of UMaine faculty working on research and conceptual design for the use of tidal energy for the Maine economy.
A team working on this project should be dedicated to understand the needs from a power standpoint, working to explore the potential environmental impacts in the area considered, and to develop a plan whereby permitting and interaction with the community is possible. Success will be determined by the ability to sell you concept design to a team willing to work with the university to develop this site.
More pictures and information at:
http://www.lookintoireland.com/energy.htm
Hard Milestones (more to be added):
# Project Team Selection Complete: September 4, 2009
# First Revised Milestones Submitted: September 11, 2009
# Design Notebook Initial sign-off: September 16, 2009
# First web page goes live with introductory page and menu on left. Page must include resumes, individual photos and milestones: October 14, 2009, 2 pm.
# Milestone review: November 4th , 2009
# Draft Midterm Report: December 9th , 2009
# Midterm Report due as a PDF posted as a completed web page: December 18th, 11:30 am
# Lab Cleanup & Infrastructure Project Completed: Maine Day, April 29, 2009
# Open House -- Review of Projects, April 30, 2009, Afternoon
# Final Web Page submitted, for review during final exam period: Monday May 6th, 2009 Noon,