Gulfstream Could Be Powerful Source of Hydropower

Researchers in Florida are starting to consider alternative energy sources as energy needs grow increasingly for the U.S state.  Currently the state as over 4 million homes whose energy needs would be too costly to meet using conventional energy sources.

These recent energy concerns have led scientists to being looking at the Gulfstream for ways of harvesting renewable, eco-friendly energy to meet the needs of the residents in the state.  Scientists at Florida Atlantic University are looking at means and costs of constructing underwater turbines in the Gulfstream right off of the Florida coastline.  The scientists would then use the turbines to generate electricity for homes and hydrogen for cars.

In the area researchers are considering the Gulfstream is particularly powerful and could be used to harness alternative forms of energy to help take the stress off of Florida’s ecosystem.

Currently scientists are using specially designed Doppler systems to measure the strength of the the current in different areas along the Gulfstream.  Once they determine where it is the strongest they can begin to put in place infrastructure to harness the raw energy generated by the current.CNN technology said, “Researchers are also looking at ways to use the electricity that is generated underwater to generate and store hydrogen in the ocean. The hydrogen could be used to fuel clean-running cars and trucks.”

Special thanks to greenoptimistic.com for the above quote, for more information please view the article on their website.