Chile sees tidal power filling energy gap

Chile sees tidal power filling energy gap
Published: Aug. 17, 2009 at 5:30 PM

SANTIAGO, Chile, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Chile is actively considering several tidal energy installations as a way of filling a major gap in its future energy needs and reducing dependence on coal-fired power generation.

A feasibility study on the potential for exploiting the renewable energy resource in Chile found the country had a "unique" wealth of natural sites that, if harnessed only up to 10 percent of available tidal power, could exceed the installed capacity of Chile's central grid.

The study was conducted for the Inter-American Development Bank by Garrard Hassan energy consultancy, based in Bristol, England.

According to the report, published by Chile's National Energy Commission and reported in Energy & Oil, Latin America, Chilean tidal power sites could include the ports of San Antonio, Puerto Montt and San Vicente, the Corcovado Gulf and the Magellan Straits.

Economic prosperity has raised projections for electricity consumption in Chile, which currently averages 56 billion kilowatt hours against 802 billion kilowatt hours for all of Latin America.

Electricity generation from tidal waves is a proven technology, more predictable than solar or wind power, and already used on a commercial scale by France since 1966.

More:
http://www.upi.com/Energy_Resources/2009/08/17/Chile-sees-tidal-power-filling-energy-gap/UPI-50911250544655/

Sure hope it all goes very well.

It would be a real breakthrough to celebrate. Thank you.

I will send you the link:)