Marine current power

Marine current power is a form of marine energy obtained from harnessing of the kinetic energy of marine currents, such as the Gulf stream. Although not widely used at present, marine current power has an important potential for future electricity generation. Marine currents are more predictable than wind and solar power.

A 2006 report from United States Department of the Interior estimates that capturing just ¹/_1,000th of the available energy from the Gulf Stream would supply Florida with 35% of its electrical needs.

Strong ocean currents are generated from a combination of temperature, wind, salinity, bathymetry, and the rotation of the earth. The sun acts as the primary driving force, causing winds and temperature differences. Because there are only small fluctuations in current speed and stream location with minimal changes in direction, ocean currents may be suitable locations for deploying energy extraction devices such as turbines. Other effects such as regional differences in temperature and salinity and the Coriolis effect due to the rotation of the earth are also major influences. The kinetic energy of marine currents can be converted in much the same way that a wind turbine extracts energy from the wind, using various types of open-flow rotors.

Stream Energy

Stream Energy is an American retail electricity and natural gas firm active in states which have deregulated energy markets. The company is headquartered within the Infomart building in Dallas. Stream Energy uses multi-level marketing to recruit independent distributors through its marketing division, Ignite. The company provides services to both residential and commercial customers.

History

Stream Gas & Electric Ltd. (d/b/a Stream Energy) was founded in August 2004 after the deregulation of the Texas electricity market. Stream Energy was licensed as a retail electrical provider by the Public Utilities Commission of Texas on 21 January 2005 and formally began operations through the initial enrollment of Texas electricity customers on 7 March 2005. The company has since expanded to other states. The company has expanded, and also operates in Georgia (2008), Pennsylvania (2010), Maryland (2011), New Jersey (2011) and New York (2012).

Multi-level marketing

In 2014 Stream Energy merged its separately-branded multi-level marketing arm, Ignite, into the Stream brand. Substantively employing the same model as Excel Communications, Stream associates earn commission through the gathering of energy customers. They also earn income when the sales agents they recruit into the business gather a required number of energy customers. All money paid through the Stream sales organization is solely attributed to customer gathering activities.