Along with energy harvesting sub-surface buoys, underwater turbines and wave-riding generators, we can now add another possible source of CO2-free power - really long pipes.

In an interesting article published by New Scientist, writer Phil Mckenna reports on a project being undertaken by US military aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin to harvest energy from the difference between cold deep deep water and warmer surface water.

FOR a company whose business is rocket science Lockheed Martin has been paying unusual attention to plumbing of late. The aerospace giant has kept its engineers occupied for the past 12 months poring over designs for what amounts to a very long fibreglass pipe.

It is, of course, no ordinary pipe but an integral part of the technology behind Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), a clean, renewable energy source that has the potential to free many economies from their dependence on oil.
“This has the potential to become the biggest source of renewable energy in the world,” says Robert Cohen, who headed the US federal ocean thermal energy programme in the early 1970s.
…
The idea of tapping the ocean’s different thermal layers to generate electricity was first proposed in 1881 by French physicist Jacques d’Arsonval but didn’t receive much attention until the world oil crises of the 1970s. In 1979, a US government-backed partnership that included Lockheed Martin, lowered a cold water pipe from a barge off Hawaii that was part of an OTEC system generating 50 kilowatts of electricity. Two years later, a Japanese group built a pilot plant off the South Pacific island of Nauru capable of generating 120 kilowatts.

Here’s the link to the entire article

Hey RealSurfers,

Shari here. You may have seen the ad for WineMarket up in the right corner. I just wanted to let you all know that this offer is not a catch. Anyone who visits RealSurf.com gets $30 off ANY case of wine.

If you drink wine or know someone who does, read below and there’s a link to the RealSurf offer on WineMarket.com.au at the end of this article. 

WineMarket.com.au may look like just another online wine store but in reality it’s anything but. We are your insider on the ground with access to the kind of deals the big retailers wouldn’t see in a month of sober Sundays. That’s because we’re part of the winemaking community, not a bottom-line driven behemoth that feeds off it. We can get the deals no-one else can. The kind of deals you used to only get if you married the winemaker’s ugly sister.

We may not be good surfers down here in the Barossa but we do know the importance of draining every drop out of something you love and while you’re out there in the big blue we’re up to our ears in big reds…and we’re more than happy for you to drop in and share them.

So if you are looking for something special to wash the salt from your mouth, check out the deals we’ve got on some of the biggest names in the world of wine. You can use your $30 RealSurf voucher on any wine case of the website!

And we promise to deliver your wine for $5 per case or carton wherever you live and surf in Australia.

Click here to go to the RealSurf offer on WineMarket.com.au

SurfingMagazine.com announces:

NOAA makes its decision on the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary; Maverick’s will remain a “seasonal” PWC zone.

We all saw this coming sooner or later. But as of February 2009, it’s official: the days of snagging 60-foot XXL contenders at Ghost Tree or whipping into the tube of your life at Moss Landing are over. In a decision to be announced later this week, officials at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have closed a loophole in the laws. . . 

Read Evan Slater’s article on Surfing Magazine.com.

(Monday, 17th Movember 2008): The Morning of the Mo’, will host its third annual surf gathering at Ballina this month on Saturday Movember 29th.

Morning of the Mo

Inspired by Albert Falzon’s seminal surf film, Morning of the Earth, this unique gathering sees surfers from around the country participate in the spirit of fun and brotherhood to raise money for Movember beneficiary partners; the National Prostate Cancer Foundation and Beyond Blue.

All participants must rock a groomed moustache, dress in 70s inspired attire and ride a pre 80s surf craft to be eligible for participation. Alter-egos, such as Gerry Mopez or Larry Bertlemo, are encouraged for the day. Surfers must also register via the Movember website and join
the MORNING OF THE MO team.

Stylin

Each year there are a swag of crazy prizes for participants including the highly sought after ‘STYLEMASTER’ award (best in character throughout the day), Best Mo’ and Best Arrival to name but a few. Victoria’s Bunker Freckles 2 x STYLEMASTER champion will be making the journey once again in a bid for his third STYLEMASTERS jacket.

Can‘t make the day, but want to get involved? There are also insane prizes for the Mo Bro or Mo Sista who raises the most moolah through the registered Morning of the Mo team!

Following the day of surfing will be the Motown party at The Hotel Great Northern, Byron Bay with entertainment by Nicky Thunder and The Uks Trevor Cartwright. Pre purchased tickets are available thru the venue $20 donation for entry free for surf day participants.

Hitting the dance floor...

Dance comp and best dressed Prizes for Mo Bros and Sistas will also be awarded on the night. 2007 saw a dance battle of epic proportions. Who knows what’s in store for 2008 …?

Meet 7am Lighthouse Carpark Ballina for the surf day.

To join the Morning of the Mo team go to http://au.movember.com/au/register and follow the steps.
Once registered you’ll be sent all the information you need to get donations and get growing as part of the Morning of the Mo team.

You will need these details to complete your online registration: or to sponsor Gerry

Captain’s Registration Number: 1354616
Captain’s Email Address: gerrymopez@movember.com

The Field is limited to 96 mo’s so get in quick. Positions filling fast.

Morning of the Mo is aimed at fun participation and the Mo, in uniting surfers to change the face of male health!

Prostate Cancer: because every year 2,900 Australian men die from prostate cancer and over 18,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Depression in Men: because one in six men experience depression at any given time but most don’t seek help.

Proudly Supported by Quiksilver, Wayne Lynch Surfboards, Hotel Great Northern Byron Bay, Sanuk, Coastalwatch, Le Specs, Sector 9, Aerial Distribution and Lennox-Ballina Boardriders.

For mo information, including additional pictures please contact the event organiser on:

mobile: 0405 805 354
gerrymopez@movember.com.au
www.movember.com

Video from the 2008 Oxbow World Longbow Tour at San Onofre. Footage provided by Oxbow Surfwear Company. Features interviews with Bonga Perkins as well as Socal local Joe Aaron.