Tidal Current Turbines

Mayor Bloomberg is a bit of a nanny for my tastes, but his leadership in moving NYC forward in alternative and renewable energy is laudable. This article describes an initiative to sink small rotors on the bottom of the East River to capture the energy of predictable and strong tidal currents. Of course, there had to be the requisite $2M spent on ensuring some nearly extent radiolarian or foraminifera was not harmed, but the project will soon be bringing power to 10000 homes in an already energy strapped part of the country.

Of intersest in the article also is the discussion of the aging energy infrastructure in this country. Even if we radically increase the amount of energy produced through alternative and renewable means, we still need to get it where it needs to go, as storing energy remains the great holy grail of the power industry.