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Can Mississippi River currents generate zero-carbon electricity? Project aims to find out

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Can Mississippi River currents generate zero-carbon electricity? Project aims to find out


A brand new type of an outdated supply of electrical energy — hydropower produced by river flows — may assist present the electrical energy of the longer term underneath a plan being developed. 

ORPC, a Maine-based firm creating tools that may generate zero-carbon electrical energy from river and ocean currents, has signed an settlement with Shell Expertise to make use of Mississippi River currents to supply energy. The settlement is aimed toward putting in a number of demonstration tasks at as much as three Shell amenities between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, firm officers stated just lately. Shell Expertise is a division of the oil large.

ORPC may additionally set up one among its Modular RivGen Energy System models on the LSU Middle for River Research, the place the electrical energy may energy present Shell electrical car charging stations close by, stated Nathan Johnson, ORPC’s vp for improvement.

The models are generators spun by water flowing by means of a horizontal construction — kind of like an underwater windmill. They’re designed to generate electrical energy when the water is transferring by means of the construction at about 2 1/4 meters per second, equal to about 7 1/2 ft per second.

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Every unit may produce about 40 kilowatts of electrical energy at that move charge, he stated. An identical-sized diesel generator would produce sufficient electrical energy each day to service one or two Louisiana houses. The models are modular and stackable, so 100 or extra may very well be positioned within the Mississippi to generate electrical energy that will be delivered to shore by underwater cables.






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Pak Leung, program supervisor with Shell Expertise – Marine Renewable Program, and Nathan Johnson, vp of improvement for ORPC. Shell has agreed set up ORPC electrical technology models within the Mississippi River at a number of of its amenities between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. (Photograph courtesy of ORPC)


A number of models already are deployed in coastal areas of Eastport, Maine, and on rivers in Alaska and Canada, he stated.

“We might begin with a few units, however there definitely can be a possibility, if acceptable on the website, to place in dozens or tons of of units,” Johnson stated. “However that will be one thing we might take a look at as a part of a really phased method, working with the stakeholders.”

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Johnson stated that on the Shell amenities, the electrical energy generated by the models may very well be used for EV stations for firm automobiles or for public charging stations, or for different electrical energy wants on the vegetation, together with within the making of different fuels. In that case, the electrical energy may very well be changing carbon-based fuels, leading to much more reductions in carbon emissions.

Researchers with the Middle for River Research are aiding in figuring out the power of the models to be positioned in places close to the Shell amenities the place they’ll generate probably the most electrical energy whereas additionally not blocking vessel visitors. Nonetheless to be decided is whether or not particles carried by the river, or its sediment load, is likely to be a limiting issue for particular person models. 

In different places, Johnson stated, the models have been proven to have the ability to function with out harming fish, together with salmon in Alaska. 

The corporate is also working with the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers and Mississippi River pilot associations on these points, and expects to be working with the Coast Guard on the identical questions, Johnson stated.

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Johnson stated his firm hopes to work with Shell to establish not less than one demonstration venture in a few month.

“After which we’ll have the ability to begin purposes engineering, mooring system configuration, and procurement of the units, to place one thing within the water roughly a 12 months from now,” he stated.

If the demonstration is profitable, ORPC would additionally try to market the mills to different potential customers alongside the Mississippi, together with in New Orleans and places north of Louisiana, Johnson stated. 

Setting reporter Mark Schleifstein could be reached at mschleifstein@theadvocate.com, and could be adopted on Twitter at @Mschleifstein.





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Mississippi

Mississippi doctors encourage people to avoid heat-related illnesses

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Mississippi doctors encourage people to avoid heat-related illnesses


HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) – Temperatures are soaring across Mississippi.

“It’s really bad. I am melting. I mean, the humanity just swamps over you quickly,” said Vickie Barfield, who lives in Hattiesburg.

The high humidity and a heat index of 110 made it feel even hotter. Logan Bryant, who works in construction, said the heat makes for a hard day on the job.

“Well, being that I work outside, it makes you sweat a lot worse. So whenever it’s humid outside, it’s just uncomfortable,” he said.

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During the high temperatures, doctors said people should stay indoors between the hours of noon and 2:00 p.m., limiting activity to the evening and morning. If you have to be outside for an extended period, you should take precautions.

“We want to make sure before we ever go outside that we’re already hydrated, already taking care of ourselves and being prepared. When we are planning on going outside with sunscreen, with bottled water, to make sure that we’re not letting ourselves get too hot,” said Dr. Grace Gable with Forrest General Hospital.

Gable said not taking preventative measures during a heat wave can cause serious medical conditions, including heat exhaustion.

“The signs of that include being really confused, feeling really hot. If you check a temperature, it might be as high as 104 degrees. Your pulse may be really fast. You might feel your heart racing and feel really dizzy. When that happens, we definitely want you to move into some AC if possible. If you are not able to make it inside the AC, make sure to get in the shade,” she said.

If you begin to feel dizzy and disoriented, call 911. Heat exhaustion can be fatal if left untreated.

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Crews rescue woman from Mississippi River

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Crews rescue woman from Mississippi River


FOUNTAIN CITY, Wis. (WEAU) – Late yesterday afternoon crews responded to calls about a woman in the Mississippi River.

According to a news release from the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, on June 24 around 4:15 p.m., dispatch received calls about a woman impeding traffic on Highway 35 in Fountain City, Wis.

The release says that prior to deputies arriving, it appeared the 60-year-old woman entered the Mississippi River intentionally.

Fountain City Fire Department helped law enforcement with its rescue boat.

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The woman was downstream about a half mile from where she entered the water. She was returned to shore and evaluated before being transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and further mental health evaluation.

The sheriff’s office urges the public not to swim in the Mississippi River until water levels and dangerous currents go down.



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Who’s on the Mount Rushmore of Mississippi State football wide receivers?

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Who’s on the Mount Rushmore of Mississippi State football wide receivers?


To get through the offseason, we’re putting together the “Mount Rushmores” of Mississippi State football. We’ve set out backfields with the Mount Rushmores of both MSU quarterbacks and running backs.

Now, we move onto the pass-catchers. Here’s the Mount Rushmore of Mississippi State wide receivers…

There’s one receiving talent that stands out above the rest at Mississippi State, and that’s Eric Moulds. No other Bulldog pass-catcher has had the combination of size, speed, and dominant athleticism as Moulds.

As a freshman, Moulds caught 17 passes for 398 yards and four TDs. Those numbers would be upped to 39 catches for 845 yards and seven TDs in 1994. He’d close his college career with 62 for 779 and six TDs in 1995 before being a 1st round pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 1996 NFL Draft.

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Eric Moulds would spend 12 seasons in the league, four times going for over 1000 yards and three times being named a Pro Bowler.

Mississippi State’s current WR coach happened to be one of the players responsible for turning around Bulldog football under Dan Mullen. A 4-star recruit out of Tupelo, Chad Bumphis proved to be a star in the making, leading the team in receiving as a true freshman in 2009.

In 2010 in became a true go-to target with 44 catches for 634 yards and five TDs. His numbers dipped in 2011, but he’d rebound better than ever the next year. As a senior, Bumphis caught 58 passes for 922 yards and a school-record 12 TDs.

Chad Bumphis is the all-time MSU leader in receiving TDs with 24 and is second in career yards at 2,270.

The first 1000-yard receiver in MSU history needs to make Mount Rushmore. In 1978, Mardye McDole caught 44 passes for 1,035 yards and seven TDs, earning All-SEC honors. That yardage total would stand as the single-season record at State all the way until 2021.

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McDole pass-catching numbers would dip significantly as a junior and senior, but that’s because new HC Emory Bellard implemented his Wishbone attack. Within that offense, McDole frequently lined-up as a RB. He’d post 727 yards of total offense and six TDs in 1980, again being named All-SEC. Despite the change in usage, Mardye McDole still ranks third in all time receiving yards at State with 2,214.

You’d expect at least one WR from the greatest era of offense in Starkville to make Mount Rushmore. Fred Ross’ put together some of the best pass-catching seasons in State history during his career. After a quiet freshman season, Ross would make noise with five TDs during MSU’s incredible 2014 season.

As a junior, he’d become just the second 1000-yard receiver at State with a then school-record 88 catches for 1,007 yards and five TDs. Ross would go for another 917 yards as a senior and tie Chad Bumphis with 12 TD catches.

Fred Ross was named 1st Team All-SEC in both 2015 and 2016. He owns the career receiving record at MSU with 2,538 yards and is tied for second in career TDs with 22.



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