Wed. Oct 4th, 2023
Tidal power

Tidal Power: A Sustainable Source of Energy

By Samra Hayat Khan 2 years ago

The impacts of tidal energy systems on the environment and society need to be fixed for reviving tidal power.

Tidal power is a form of hydropower, a renewable source of energy that uses the rise and fall of waves produced by the surge of ocean waters (Society, 2011). The rise of the tides is the product of the gravitational interplay between the sun, moon, and the earth. 

Moreover, the increase in the inclusion of tidal energy for the generation of power owes to its sustainability, resulting from the oceanic tides’ high predictability compared to other renewable sources, the wind and solar energy (“Tidal Energy | PNNL,” n.d.). 

Tidal power is an innovation of the old school practice

Dating as far as the Middle Ages and even having historical evidence in Roman times, tidal energy was used to drive grain mills. However, the first time that tidal energy was proposed to be used as a source of generating electricity dates to Victorian times. 

That led to the establishment of the first-ever tidal plant, the La Rance Tidal Barrage in France, which was operational since 1966 (Neill et al., 2018). This is the starting point for the massive construction of dams barrages in the other European States to utilize tidal energy for electricity generation. 

However, by the late 90s, these constructions faced several setbacks due to the number of potential spaces being occupied by already built dams. The up roaring costs and several other factors associated with the social and economic challenges seemed unaffordable (Moran, Lopez, Moore, Müller & Hyndman, 2018). 

That led to the establishment of the first-ever tidal plant, the La Rance Tidal Barrage in France, which was operational since 1966.
That led to the establishment of the first-ever tidal plant, the La Rance Tidal Barrage in France, which was operational since 1966.

Tidal Barrages and Tidal Fences and their negative contributions to the environment

Tidal barrages utilize the tidal surges, the rise and fall of the tides, to drive the turbines and, thus, generate electricity (Hanania, Heffernan, Jenden, Stenhouse & Donev, 2021). Contrary, a tidal fence is a form of technology characterized by a steel or concrete structure that resembles a fence and utilizes the fast-flowing tidal surge of the oceanic water to generate electricity. 

The fence is famously introduced as a cross between a tidal barrage and a tidal turbine stream system (Tidal Fence and Underwater Tidal Fence Turbines, n.d.). That said, before the already mentioned stance of tidal systems having negative aspects, the tidal barrages, the unique system that was structured very similar to dams for tidal energy management, have several harmful environmental contributions. 

Most importantly, the tidal basins and the surrounding where they establish create potential risks to aquatic plants and animals by altering the salinity of the oceanic water. Moreover, the tidal barrages are prone to impact the tidal levels by increasing the turbidity and affecting navigation (Moran, Lopez, Moore, Müller & Hyndman, 2018). 

Current Prospects 

There is undoubtedly an expanding need to opt for renewable energy resources with the ever-growing energy crisis worldwide. With the great predictably level of tidal surge and their dependence on the earth’s gravitational pull, they prove to be the most reliable sources present. However, there need to be some amends in how the system was previously operated. 

Most importantly, the situation calls for the application of innovative solutions suggested as: 

  • Nullify the salinity alteration of the tidal systems.
  • Not harming marine life’s health.
  • Have a negligible effect on the tidal level.

The impacts of tidal energy systems on the environment and society need to be fixed for reviving tidal power in the present-day world.

Also, Read: Bioenergy and Climate Change- A potential solution to energy shortage

Post Views: 253
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

31 thoughts on “Tidal Power: A Sustainable Source of Energy”

  1. Pingback: With BIR-D, drone shows light up Pakistan's skies -

  3. Admiring the time and energy you put into your blog and detailed
    information you provide. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same
    old rehashed information. Great read! I’ve saved your
    site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  4. First of all I would like to say excellent blog!
    I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.

    I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing.
    I’ve had a difficult time clearing my mind in getting my ideas out.
    I truly do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be wasted simply just trying to figure out
    how to begin. Any recommendations or hints? Thank you!

  6. An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers

  8. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. cheers

  9. Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem along with your web site in web explorer, would check this?K IE nonetheless is the market leader and a large part of other folks will leave out your magnificent writing because of this problem.

  10. I found your blog website on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the excellent operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. In search of ahead to reading more from you afterward!…

  13. Hello There. I found your blog the usage of msn. That is a
    really well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read extra of your helpful information. Thanks for
    the post. I’ll definitely comeback.

  15. Somebody necessarily assist to make critically posts I’d state.
    This is the very first time I frequented your web page and thus far?

    I surprised with the research you made to create this particular post extraordinary.
    Great task!

  23. I’m not sure why but this site is loading very slow for me.

    Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end?
    I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.

  30. 557154 432489An fascinating dialogue is value comment. I feel that its best to write extra on this matter, it may possibly not be a taboo subject nevertheless normally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers 260538

  31. Howdy this is kinda of off topic but I was wondering if blogs
    use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
    I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted to get advice from someone with
    experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!

Comments are closed.