han a 217 mph (350 km/hr) wind, according to MeyGen statistics.
Other Saltire Prize competitors seek to tap the power of tides. ScottishPower Renewables, a division of wind energy giant Iberdrola, is developing (though not yet constructing) a Demonstration Tidal Array in the Scottish Sound of Islay. Ten Andritz Hydro Hammerfest HS1000 turbines will be anchored to the seafloor between the islands of Islay and Jura. The test is preparation for development of a 95 MW tidal energy project at the Ness of Duncansby, on Pentland Firth waters.
West Islay Tidal is also promoting a project, a 0.8-square-mile (2-square-kilometer) tidal stream array in 100 feet (30 meters) of water off the West Islay coast. Here, tides are not only strong but also biodirectional, meaning that the ebb and flow run conveniently (for turbines) almost 180 degrees opposed to one another. West Islay Tidal hopes to see installation begin in 2015 and 30 MW capacity complete by the end of 2016
But for all of ocean power's plans and potential, it also poses great challenges. Systems have to be built to avoid injury to marine mammals and other ocean life. They have to be robust enough to survive the rough weather that is common in places with the potential for high ocean energy. Conflicts can arise between use of the ocean for energy and other activities, such as fishing, shipping, and recreation. And not least are the financial challenges of producing energy at competitive rates, and raising investment dollars for new and relatively unproven technologies.
Like his European counterparts in the field, Sean O'Neill of the OREC believes all this can be overcome with a vision of clean energy that won't run out. He also sees a need to speed development of the technology, which will drive innovations that make it cheaper and better.
"We have polluted the oceans for decades, and here we have a new use," he said, "so there is some fear of the unknown, and we do need to make certain of wave and tidal power's impacts and monitor them.
"If there are any negative effects we need to mitigate them, and we'll probably discover some unintended benefits as well. But most of all, we need to get these technologies and projects into the water." (See related interactive map: "The Global Electricity Mix.")