VOA标准英语2014--Harnessing Ocean Wave Power Provides Cheap Electricity 利用海洋波浪提供廉价电力和饮用水

 

Harnessing Ocean Wave Power Provides Cheap Electricity 利用海洋波浪提供廉价电力和饮用水

WASHINGTON — An often overlooked renewable energy resource is the power of ocean waves.  Scientists in California say harnessing energy from the regular movement of large amounts of water could provide cheap electricity and drinking water for coastal¹ communities.

The relentless² line of waves breaking along a coastline represents a steady stream of energy. The problem is that the water in waves actually goes up and down, a motion which is hard to convert into a force pushing only one way, like a flowing river or a blowing wind.

Scientists at the University of California Berkeley designed an underwater device which they say not only solves this problem but has a dual³ application.

“Our device has the advantage that we do not directly convert into electricity. We can decide ourselves if we want to produce fresh water or electricity,” Lehmann said.

Their carpet-like mechanism⁴, that rises and falls with waves, creates hydraulic⁵ pressure, pumping seawater towards the shore.

The pressurized water can be used to run turbines, generating electricity.  Or it can be pushed through special membranes⁶ that extract the salt to create fresh water.

Lehmann said larger versions of the wave carpet could power small coastal communities. “So in general the available resource of wave energy is in the order of 15 percent of the global energy demand, which is a lot.”

Mechanical engineer Reza Alam said to avoid possible impact on coastal ecosystems⁷, the wave carpet can be deployed⁸ in so-called “dead zones” where there is not enough oxygen for marine⁹ life to thrive.

“Placing a carpet on the seabed in those locations is definitely absolutely safe to the environment,” he explained.

 

Alam said only one-square meter of the wave carpet could supply enough power for two typical American homes, which on a larger scale means that the ocean could cheaply power up entire coastal towns.

1 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

2 relentless   

adj.残酷的，不留情的，无怜悯心的

参考例句：

• The traffic noise is relentless.交通车辆的噪音一刻也不停止。
• Their training has to be relentless.他们的训练必须是无情的。

3 dual   

adj.双的；二重的，二元的

参考例句：

• The people's Republic of China does not recognize dual nationality for any Chinese national.中华人民共和国不承认中国公民具有双重国籍。
• He has dual role as composer and conductor.他兼作曲家及指挥的双重身分。

4 mechanism   

n.机械装置；机构，结构

参考例句：

• The bones and muscles are parts of the mechanism of the body.骨骼和肌肉是人体的组成部件。
• The mechanism of the machine is very complicated.这台机器的结构是非常复杂的。

5 hydraulic   

adj.水力的；水压的，液压的；水力学的

参考例句：

• The boat has no fewer than five hydraulic pumps.这艘船配有不少于5个液压泵。
• A group of apprentics were operating the hydraulic press.一群学徒正在开动水压机。

6 membranes   

n.（动物或植物体内的）薄膜( membrane的名词复数 )；隔膜；（可起防水、防风等作用的）膜状物

参考例句：

• The waste material is placed in cells with permeable membranes. 废液置于有渗透膜的槽中。 来自辞典例句
• The sarcoplasmic reticulum is a system of intracellular membranes. 肌浆网属于细胞内膜系统。 来自辞典例句

7 ecosystems   

n.生态系统( ecosystem的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There are highly sensitive and delicately balanced ecosystems in the forest. 森林里有高度敏感、灵敏平衡的各种生态系统。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Madagascar's ecosystems range from rainforest to semi-desert. 马达加斯加生态系统类型多样，从雨林到半荒漠等不一而足。 来自辞典例句

8 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

9 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。