| The idea of an energy island is to create an offshore | | | | So, it is obvious that energy can be collected using |
| platform that floats around generating electricity | | | | energy islands but the problems are centered around |
| through various technologies. There has already been | | | | maintenance and collection. Energy produced at sea |
| a lot of research and theoretical work that shows this | | | | still has to make it back somewhere useful and this |
| is entirely possible but there are some drawbacks. First | | | | consumes energy in the process. Questions have |
| let's talk more about the types of energy that is | | | | been raised about the energy efficiency from start to |
| harnessed. | | | | finish. Oceans are also extremely harsh environments |
| The two most common energy types are wind and | | | | especially for electronics. Maintenance will undoubtedly |
| ocean heat exchange. The first you're probably familiar | | | | be required to keep these islands operational. This will |
| with, and it can be harnessed using wind power | | | | be an additional expense with the added cost of |
| turbines on the island surface. The second is pumping | | | | having to move technicians around on the ocean. |
| water from deep below the surface up to the warmer | | | | The advantages of a renewable energy collected at |
| surface waters and using a heat exchanged to | | | | sea are currently outweighed by issues mainly relating |
| generate electricity from this imbalance. There was an | | | | to cost. With a different energy landscape, such as the |
| extensive research operation done on this idea and it | | | | peak of the oil crisis, then energy islands might be a |
| was shown to work in actual practice with around a 5 | | | | viable solution. |
| Celsius difference between water temperatures. | | | | |