Page 49 - GK Class 08

Wave and Tidal Power

Although wave power is difficult to harness, since 1966, dams
across river estuaries have been extracting energy from the tides.

Wind Power

Modern exploitation of wind power began in 1982 at Columbia
River Gorge in Washington State. It was begun with a three-
turbine wind farm producing 2.5 megawatt which is enough
power for 2500 households. Nowadays, common wind farms are
not so popular than other power sources.

Mineral Oil

Chinese scholars realised the usefulness of mineral oil in the 11th
century. Edwin L Drake of America drilled an oil well in Titusville,
Pennsylvania. US oil production rose to 60 million barrels a year in
the following years.

OTEC

Before 1100 BC
More than
3000 years
ago, burning
of coal began
in China or
India.
Underground
mines were
Ocean Thermal Energy conversion (OTEC) relies on the
first dug in
difference in temperature between the different layers of
the 18th
ocean to churn a generator and produce electricity. The century.
result of this pushes warm water to deep levels of the
ocean, pushing colder water to the top.

This Corner

Gujarat Government has launched
Suryashakti Kisan Yojna (SKY), solar
power scheme for farmers enabling
them to generate electricity for their
captive consumption as well as surplus
power.

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