Tidal Energy

• Tides in the ocean move in an out predictably in response to the gravitational force from the moon.
• TIDAL ENERGY harnesses this predictable motion to generate electricity.

• Poles with turbines are anchored into the ocean floor.
• Upward and downward movement of the water every 6 hours each day spin magnets around copper coils to generate electricity.
  • Wires carry electricity to the shoreline.

• Because the water on Earth is attracted to the moon, the ocean water on Earth is shaped like an oval that we rotate through.
• Tides rise and fall predictably each day and energy can be harnessed from this natural movement of the water.
  • Note: Tides are different than waves, which engineers are also studying to harness energy from.

• Because naturally water motion spins turbines, there is no air or water pollution during energy generation.

• Unfortunately, not every city is located near a shoreline and not all shorelines have dramatic tidal changes.
• But for those that are, tidal energy can provide a consistent and environmentally stable source of heat and electricity!

• Tidal turbines don’t grow on trees.
• Concrete for bases and metal for pipes and turbines must be mined, transported and set up by equipment that burn fossil fuels.
  • While geothermal is clean at point of use, there is still environmental impact during setup.

• The ocean is a volatile place with extreme weather like hurricanes and tsunamis.
• In areas prone to geologic and weather hazards, expensive tidal energy equipment could be damaged leading to power outages.

• Oceans are diverse ecosystems full of plants and animals that live in a delicate balance.
• Installation of turbines and wires to carry electricity to people living on land definitely disrupts the species that live there.

• Tidal is currently the most expensive form of energy with the cost of one turbine running over $10 million.
  • Constant maintenance and connection cause high running expense too.

• While tides do go in and out reliably, the turbines don’t generate electricity at high and low tide.
• For about 30 minutes every 6 hours, turbines don’t spin and generate electricity.
  • For this reason, tidal cannot be counted on as a sole energy source and must be paired with another system.

Tidal energy accounts for <1% of all energy consumed in US

South Korea produces the most tidal energy in the world.

• Although tidal energy plants exist in various countries like France, US and South Korea, no single country has installed enough to be considered a leader or truly reliant on the source.
• Exploration into wave and tidal power is projected to grow in upcoming decades.

• If there was one more category in the ICARE for actual use, Tidal would bump below biomass for last place.
• The long list of cons explored above make it less attractive to countries seeking reliable and cheap energy.