Tidal Power plugs into Irish national grid (gas, natural, wind turbines)

[LilyLaLa]

The turbine is actually in Northern Ireland, but it will serve the Republic as well, according to reports.

I found this fascinating because the turbine is in Strangford Lough, County Down, which is also home to the the world's oldest excavated tidal mill---a monastery that once stood there used the tide to run their flour mill in the 8th century (Sadly they were destroyed by Vikings not long after).

Now along comes Marine Current Turbines Ltd, putting the same idea into place to supply electricity to the area. Less ugly than the wind turbines by a narrow margin....no word yet on what the fish think. I did wonder what had been put in place to protect wildlife, but haven't found any information on that yet.

To read the announcement:
First tidal power goes on grid in the North | BreakingNews.ie

and more information from the company who set it up:
Marine Current Turbines

[riveree]

The history is very interesting, and it's great to see the benefit crossing the line into the Republic as well .

[LilyLaLa]

I was surprised to hear they'd actually done this; I'd read about the possibility of it long ago, then forgot about it. Now that I've looked more into the tidal-power subject, it turns out that it only works in certain tidal conditions, for instance where the tides race in and out very strongly, such as at Strangford Lough.

We still have Vikings "invading" that bit of water, though of course now it's only re-enactment. Photographers will have to be extra careful not to include the turbine, if they want historical accuracy in their photos!

Ireland's eco-friendliness has receive other boosts lately, with grants offered by SEI and other measures; it's only natural I suppose, when we're a small country with no oil reserves and little room for landfills. We have gas fields but unfortunately some are buried deep below a protected landscape. I've been wondering what to blog about so, hey! I guess that's it...I'll put something up on my blog later today.

Thanks!