Tidal Power - The Energy Of The Future?

Posted by admin

May 7, 2008

I know that tidal power is still not so popular renewable energy source. But recently I have heard of several commercial projects (Tidal energy generator to be built in Northern Ireland , First commercial tidal energy turbine installed). So I have decided to make my own research on the ways to use the energy of the oceans and seas:

First:

What is Tidal Power?

Tidal power (aka tidal energy) uses the movement of the water caused by tidal currents or the rise. The other option is generate electricity using or the rise and fall in sea levels due to the tides.

OK, but what are Tides?

Tides are the rising and falling of Earth’s ocean surface caused by the tidal forces of the Moon and the Sun acting on the oceans.

What are the advantage of tidal energy production?

Unlike wind and solar power production using the tidal forces is constant and predictable.
No Waste produced
There is not need of primary source like: grain, algae etc. Basically it needs no fuel.
Sustainability of energy production.
Easy and not expensive to maintenance.
Has little impact on the environment.
Tidal energy turbines are dropped into deep water, so they are not a danger to ships.

Disadvantages:

Heavier that wind turbines
More expensive than wind turbines.
Usually producing power for around 10 hours each day. This is the time frame in which the tide is actually moving in or out.

Conclusion:

The current state of tidal energy technology can be compared to the first aircrafts. However developments are advancing rapidly and there is a great future in using tidal energy.

Links and references:
British company to build world’s largest tidal power scheme
Turbine technology is turning the tides into power of the future
Tidal power From Wikipedia
Tidal Energy
http://www.marineturbines.com/