Category: Tidal Power

How to Shop for A Tech-Lover Without Breaking the Bank

I can count how many hours I have wasted trying to find the besten geschenke für junge männer bis 20 euro and failed spectacularly. We all want to give those we love the best gifts possible. But the sad truth of the matter is that money doesn’t grow on trees. So we are sometimes constrained by our budget and forced to shop at the cheaper end of the stores.

You might be surprised to hear this, but shopping is an art form. There is a definite knack to it that, if you are in the know, can save you a lot of time and money. Most people assume it is something you can’t get wrong and end up over-paying on items or wasting more time than is necessary.

Well, we aren’t going to let that be you ever again. We are going to help you learn how to show for your friends or family without breaking the bank.

This article is going to focus on those in your life that enjoy their technology. Whether that be a teenager who is phone-obsessed or a cousin who needs to have the latest gadget. Our tips and tricks are going to make sure you get the best presents every time, without causing your wallet too much pain.

 

Vouchers

Tech companies love to shift stock. Unlike other products, technology eventually becomes extremely obsolete. And in this ever-advancing digital age, it seems products become obsolete quicker every year. So companies often try to sell the remaining stock of a product before they launch something new.

To do this they will often put out vouchers for their tech. They mainly distribute them to major retailers or directly through email lists. So make sure you sign up to the websites, using a throwaway email if you want to avoid spam. Or just walk down to your local tech store and see what vouchers they have behind the counter.

 

Refurbished

The great thing about technology is the fact it can be repaired. Even if a piece of tech sustains a lot of damage, chances are it can be salvaged. But stores legally can’t sell products at full-price if they have previously been damaged or used, no matter how well they have been repaired. So to cut their losses, they sell them at a much cheaper price under the ‘Refurbished’ category.

You will see this a lot on Amazon or eBay. Looking in the refurbished section is a great way to find name brand products at great prices. This is a great option when you are shopping for someone who is a stickler for name-brand products.

 

Off-Brand

When we say Off-Brand we don’t mean the cheap knock-offs you can get at the market stalls. We mean looking at the competitors of the bigger companies. Apple and Samsung are your two major phone companies, with Google now stepping up as well. So, of course, their phones are going to cost more.

But if you look over at Nokia you will find phones that are often just as powerful but half the price. This really is the easiest way to save money. People are a sucker for the hottest brand. And the little companies need to compete. So they lower their prices and usually throw in a lot of freebies as well. And at the end of the day, it is the thought that counts. I’m sure your loved ones will be happy with whatever brand you go for.

 

Gadgets and Gizmos

Sometimes though you really can’t afford to go above 20 euros. Luckily, thanks to the technological revolution, there are hundreds of high-street stores that are stocked with fun and imaginative tech gifts that fall under this price tag. Remote control helicopters. Portable Ovens and Slushies Machines. LED Lighting displays and cool phone attachments.

There are hundreds of fantastic gifts out there just waiting to be found. You just need to use a little imagination and resourcefulness to find them. And if you are ever in doubt, just ask someone at the store. Remember, it’s their job to know what’s popular and what a particular customer will like.

Tidal power 101 – How does it Work

Tidal power is a great example of a clean and renewable energy source, energy is created through the rise and fall of the natural tide and this is converted into electricity that we all use in our everyday lives. These tides are created by the gravitational pull of the moon as it rotates around the Earth. Tidal power plants can only be situated next to large bodies of water for instance places like on the coast and as there are both low and high tides, energy production isn’t as reliable because five metre water levels are required in order to produce energy. There are three main technologies that can be used in order to produce tidal power.

Tidal Barrages

Tidal Barrages are considered to be the most efficient form of producing tidal power, a tidal barrage is made up of a dam that utilises the change in tide to turn the turbine and in turn generate electricity. It overall takes advantage of the potential energy formed by the difference in height caused by the fall of water. – Tidal Fences  A Tidal fence is basically a huge turbine that operates in a similar way to a turnstile and energy is generated through the movement caused by the current of the water. -​Tidal Turbines Energy is generated in a similar fashion to the tidal fences in that electricity is generated through the movement of the turbine.

Although the reliability of tidal power isn’t as solid, tidal power generates significantly more energy than wind as water is a lot more dense making for speedier rotations and therefore in turn more energy can be generated. Tidal power is also considered to be one of the most renewable energy sources as it has no greenhouse gas emissions and it has a very low environmental impact. A benefit of tidal energy would be that it is reliable in terms of how long it lasts, it would be presumed that oceans and the tide are going to be around for a long time and so it would be stupid not to utilise this green source of energy for as long as possible.

Essentially the hydro power (created by the tidal turbine) is converted into electrical power using a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) which turns the mechanical power output into electrical power for the grid. The variable AC output of the PMSG is then needed to be converted into variable DC voltage by the use of a diode bridge. This is then changed into a constant DC voltage via the use of a DC-DC boost converter, however this is again needed to be converted into three-phane AC at 60 Hz so it can then be used as electricity and transported to homes. It is done so by the use of transmission lines held up by large towers, they reach huge distances in order to take the power generated at the coast to other places requiring energy. Three-phase electricity is by its very nature a much smoother form of electricity than other forms as it is more consistent.