Underwater ‘kite’ captures tidal energy

Underwater ‘kite’ captures tidal energy
‘Deep Green’ can generate enough power for home refrigerator for a year
By Emily Laut
Discovery Channel
updated 3:45 p.m. ET, Mon., May 10, 2010

A small "kite" that's flown under water is boldly going where no tidal turbine has gone before.

“Deep Green” looks like someone’s flying kites from the sea floor. With its 39-foot wingspan and 328-foot cable tethering it to the ocean floor, all it’s missing is a colorful tail.

Though a nearly 40-foot wingspan may seem big, the kites are small compared to other tidal energy designs. That’s one of the big advantages to Deep Green: it can operate at greater depths, where currents are slower.

More:www.msnbc.msn.com...

The article goes on to say "One Deep Green sea kite is expected to generate 500 kilowatts of power, enough to power a modern refrigerator for a year. "

While that doesn't sound like much, at least it's a step in the right direction towards green, renewal power.