Tidal power is superior to conventional energy systems.
Tidal power has many benefits. In addition to being a sustainable form of energy, tidal turbines are highly efficient and are capable of converting 80% of the energy of the tides into electricity. These systems are superior to conventional energy systems and fossil fuels, which only release 30-45% of the captured energy. Another advantage is that tidal power is renewable. The ocean’s tides will continue to flow as long as the moon remains in the sky.
Tidal stream energy technology is still in its infancy, but it has enormous potential to become an essential part of our energy mix in the future. Many countries have started researching tidal power systems, and Norway, the UK, and Canada have all looked at tidal barrages as a way to harness the energy of tides. However, the technology is still in its early stages of development, and scientists continue to explore the technology.
It is a renewable resource.
The Earth’s tides are created by gravitational interactions with the Moon and Sun. These tides move enormous amounts of water every day, and they are also predictable. When combined with the tidal energy generated by waves, tidal power can provide a tremendous amount of power for a small amount of money. The great thing about this resource is that engineers can create efficient systems that use these natural forces to provide power regularly.
As a renewable resource, tidal energy is a clean and green alternative to conventional energy sources. Tidal power facilities don’t release greenhouse gases and don’t take up a lot of space. The Sihwa Lake Tidal Power Station in Australia was built along a 12.5 km-long seawall. In addition to its environmental benefits, tidal power is cost-competitive with other renewable energy resources. The tidal pattern is predictable and well-understood, making it attractive for managing electrical grids. Furthermore, unlike conventional power plants, tidal energy doesn’t require backup plants.
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It requires a significant capital investment.
Although tidal energy is an attractive alternative energy option, the technology requires a substantial capital investment. Building a tidal energy plant requires significant capital investments, including dams, turbines, and support ships. Even so, tidal energy is relatively inexpensive to install and operate. It can be an excellent option for coastal cities, though it does require a significant investment.
The biggest challenge is the high capital required to build a tidal energy plant. The technology for tidal energy is still relatively new, making it difficult to estimate the project’s cost. Since tidal energy plants require a significant capital investment, they may be more expensive than conventional power plants, but the initial price is lower than fossil fuels. Despite the high initial costs, tidal energy is highly profitable in the long run, but it takes time to break even.
One drawback of tidal energy is its limited capacity. The rotor diameter of a tidal turbine must be around 45 meters to generate 600 kW of power. Fortunately, technological advances will soon make tidal power solutions more affordable. The cost of wave energy converters has been prohibitive compared to the energy they produce. The technology, however, has excellent potential to provide an additional 10-20% of the world’s electricity needs.
Using ocean tides to produce power has been around for centuries. The current demonstration project in Puget Sound, Washington, is the first of its kind on the west coast. It will be a demonstration array of large-scale turbines that will feed ocean tide-generated electricity into the electrical grid.