Advantages and Disadvantages of Tidal Energy
Tidal energy or tidal power pertains to a form of energy that particularly turns the tides’ efficiency to beneficial forms of dynamism. Though this type of energy is not used widely, this serves as a significant investment in terms of electricity generation. Tidal energy provides lots of advantages but individuals should be reminded that this is also linked to some downsides. In order to completely understand the impacts, significance and effects of tidal energy, it would help if you gain clearer understanding about the advantages and disadvantages of tidal energy.
The Advantages of Tidal Energy
Tidal power displays lots of potential and provides many advantages including the following:
• Tidal energy is a renewable energy meaning, this cannot be depleted. Tidal forces got their own origin in the moon and sun’s gravitational reaction. This signifies that individuals can harness tidal energy as long as the sun and the moon continuously exist.
• Tidal energy is an efficient source with an approximate efficiency of 80%. This is said to be more efficient as compared to wind and solar energy.
• Tide predictability is also one of the advantages of solar energy. The tide’s rise and fall are more cyclic as compared to other sources of energy. This predictability provides individuals knowledge if the tide will be out or in.
• Harnessing tidal energy poses positive impact in climate change for the reason that this does not produce emissions of greenhouse gas.
• Harnessing this particular type of energy on larger scales also helps reduce foreign fuels import and improve energy security because individuals no longer have to depend much on foreign import of fuel to satisfy growing demand for energy.
Disadvantages of Tidal Energy
Despite the many advantages provided by tidal energy, it is apparent that this also carries some disadvantages. These setbacks are outlined below:
• Power plants harnessing tidal energy are linked with higher upfront cost required for construction. This therefore displays lack cost-efficiency and effectiveness in the worldwide energy market.
• Tidal energy is considered as an intermittent energy source that can only provide electricity during the time of tidal surges and that is about an average of approximately ten hours per day. This only means that to be able to consider tidal energy as a reliable energy source, it needs to be accompanied with effective solution for energy storage.
• Power plants can trigger damage to the environment in some extent. Turbines’ frame may potentially disrupt the ideal movement of marine animals. Construction of tidal energy power plants may also disturb fish migration.
• The places where tidal energy or power is produced are far away from the exact locations where this is needed or consumed.
• The technology for this is not that cost effective because more technological innovations and advancements are required to make tidal power commercially viable.
Weighing the advantages and disadvantages of tidal energy helps you gain clearer realizations on the over-all impact of this particular type of energy to individuals and to the world.