One of the largest bearing manufacturers SKF, and ocean energy developer Minesto are launching a space program to harness the Moon’s energy by leveraging the power of the tides.
Over the past year, SKF and Minesto have been pioneering tidal energy using “tidal kites” in the Atlantic Sea outside the Faroe Islands. The mission is to harness the Moon’s power for predictable and renewable energy. After its successful launch into the ocean, the tidal kite called LUNA is flying underwater, invisibly and silently harvesting energy from the Moon – no matter the weather.
Today, only a few of the countries with favorable tidal current conditions are beginning to utilize the full potential of moon generated energy – the most predictable renewable energy source on the globe, a release from SKF said
Faroe Islands Space Program
The established tidal energy facility – a moon energy base – will kick off the Faroe Islands Space Program, firmly grounded on Earth. The kite Luna has a rated power of 1.2 MW, enough to power 200 villas with electricity for one year. The next goal is to implement a new 200 MW tidal energy facility. This could meet 40 per cent of the expected electricity needs in 2030, providing green electricity to the small, remote island nation’s 50,000 people and 70,000 sheep. Unlocking the power of the tides is a joint work together with power company Sev:
Short facts tidal and ocean energy:
- According to the International Energy Agency, 80 per cent of global electricity currently comes from fossil fuels.
- By 2050, ocean energy could potentially provide a substantial portion of the energy mix. Ocean energy is local, renewable and tides are predictable, which makes it the perfect partner to more established renewables like wind and solar.
- Ocean energy Europe estimates that ocean energy can provide 10 per cent of Europe’s electricity and create 400.000 skilled jobs by 2050.
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Featured collage shows launch of LUNA kite into the ocean (left) and the LUNA kite under water (right). Images sourced from SKF.
