nuclear-news

France to develop tidal wave energy

Wind energy production in Europe, for example, just reached the 100 gigawatt mark, the equivalent of 39 nuclear power plants

French dive into tidal energy as nuclear plants bid adieu Smart Planet, By Bryan Pirolli | September 28, 2012,PARIS – French conglomerate Alstom is finalizing the purchase of Tidal Generation Ltd from Rolls Royce in the UK. Alstom , one of the largest energy-producing groups in the world, purchased the small company in an effort to expand its every-growing array of renewable energy.

The sale of TGL to Alstom comes just as the new French president, Francois Hollande, announced his commitment to renewable energy and decreasing France’s dependence on nuclear power.

Tidal Generation Ltd  (TGL), formed in 2005, specializes in designing turbines for generating electricity from ocean tides.The process is
nothing novel, dating back to Roman times, but exploiting the tides on
a large scale has proved difficult throughout recent years. High costs
and ecological concerns have prevented large companies from investing
too much in underwater turbines.

TGL is trying to change all of that. In 2009, the start-up, employing
29 individuals, was purchased by Rolls Royce Plc , the branch of the
famed automaker that broke away in 1973. In Scotland currently, TGL
implemented a generator in 2010 that has been producing energy to a
grid for 300 homes. By purchasing TGL, Alstom adds another feather in
its cap of renewable energy including other sources of water, wind,
geothermal, and solar power. The new acquisition will add to the
technology and ongoing development at Alstom’s French research center
in Nantes, located just south of the world’s first and second largest
tidal power station in Rance on the English Channel, opened in 1966.

The purchase, however, can be interpreted as a strategic one. In
addition to renewable sources of energy, Alstom technology makes up
30% of the world’s nuclear energy, something that the French are very
keen to reduce. With 58 reactors, making it the most nuclear-dependent
country in the world, France will soon see a decrease in nuclear
energy if the new president has his way.

President Hollande made clear his environmental program , heavily
influenced by the Green Party, two weeks ago. He plans to shut down
the oldest reactor in France and to reduce nuclear energy from over
75% to 50% with the closing of 24 reactors by 2025. Could Alstom be
preparing for dwindling demand of nuclear energy in favor of more
eco-friendly renewable sources of energy?…..
It remains to be seen how France, and the rest of the EU for that
matter, will continue to pursue renewable sources of energy. Wind energy production in Europe, for example, just reached the 100 gigawatt mark, the equivalent of 39 nuclear power plants, according to Reuters

September 29, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | France, renewable