Tidal power stations operate by using12/19/2023 ![]() ![]() Large projects such as the construction of tidal barrages can cost in excess of $1 billion. It’s no secret that marine construction and coastal engineering projects are expensive. Tidal Power Plants Are Expensive To Build According to the Ocean Energy Council, a tidal range of at least 7 meters is required for the economical operation of tidal turbines. To make matters worse, not all coastal areas are suitable for tidal power. It is therefore useless to landlocked countries. Unlike solar and wind energy, tidal energy is only available at coastal areas and estuaries. Tidal energy is one of the most location-specific renewable energy sources. Engineers can then release this water on demand to generate power as and when it is needed. Barrages hold back water, acting in a similar way to that of a hydroelectric dam. It is here where tidal barrages have a huge advantage over coastal tidal turbines. Whilst tidal turbines are only viable during part of this cycle, there is still a lengthy window where they can operate. It does, however, take six hours and 12.5 minutes for the water at the shore to go from high to low (or from low to high) tide. With the tides being intermittent, tidal turbines are unable to operate 24 hours a day. Tides Are IntermittentĬoastal areas experience two high and two low tides every 24 hours and 50 minutes (a lunar day). Some species of marine life can also be affected, especially where tidal barrages are concerned. Fishermen, transport companies, and recreational sea goers are all affected by the presence of tidal energy plants. This can have an effect on those who rely on unrestricted access to the sea. Tidal Energy Can Restrict Access To The Seaīoth tidal turbines and tidal barrages can restrict access to open waters. Some species of fish living in estuaries migrate in the opposite direction (to the sea) in order to spawn. Some marine fish make their way up estuaries to spawn. One of these is that they can disrupt the migratory pattern of fish and other marine life. Tidal barrages have similar disadvantages to hydroelectric dams. Whilst tidal turbines spin much slower than wind turbines, they can still post a threat to fish and other marine life. Just like wind turbines kill birds, tidal turbines have the potential to harm marine life. ![]() Many of these are similar to the environmental impacts of hydroelectric dams. One of the bad things about tidal energy is that tidal barrages have a number of environmental effects. Next, we’ll look at the various disadvantages that tidal energy has. Tidal barrages can even double up as a flood barrier to help protect inland areas from flooding. For example, a barrage can be used as a road or footbridge, avoiding the need to build a separate structure. Structures like these can be used for other purposes. Tidal Barrages Can Have Multiple UsesĪ tidal barrage involves the construction of a dam-like wall to hold back seawater. Whilst maintenance can be an expensive process, there is usually a large gap between maintenance intervals. Tidal turbines require infrequent maintenance, as do tidal barrages. Ignoring construction costs, tidal power plants have very low running costs. This allows tidal turbines to be effective at low water speeds, unlike wind turbines which require significant wind speeds. Water has a density of around 1000 times greater than that of air. It is even more predictable than wind and solar energy. This makes tidal energy a very reliable and predictable energy source. We can rely on them to rise and fall throughout the course of the day. The sustainable nature of tidal energy makes it a wise investment in helping to meet future energy requirements. Unlike non-renewable alternatives (such as coal, oil, and natural gas), we can always rely on the tides as a source of energy. Tidal energy is renewable, meaning we can use it again and again without it running out. In addition, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we are helping to reduce the future effects of climate change. ![]() ![]() These are not only bad for our health but are also a key component of global warming.Īs we source more of our energy from renewables, we help to improve the quality of the air we breathe. When we produce electricity from the tides, we produce zero carbon emissions. Tidal energy is an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Let’s start by looking at the different advantages of tidal energy. In this article, we explore the different pros and cons of tidal energy. This process has a number of advantages and disadvantages associated with it. Tidal power uses the kinetic energy of the tides to generate power. ![]()
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