Tidal energy is a renewable energy source that produces energy from changing tides and currents in the ocean. It can be captured using tidal barrages, tidal stream generators, and tidal fences. Let us check out the pros and cons of tidal energy to know more about it.
Pros OR Advantages of tidal energy:
- Tidal energy is a green renewable source of energy because we will never run out of the natural power of the sea. In addition, it also does not emit any greenhouse gases, especially carbon during electricity generation.
- The power of the tides is predictable, thus you could set the watch. In addition, it's so easy to guess how much energy a tidal power plant can produce in a day.
- The tidal power plant lasts for a long time. The equipment used in this plant last four time longer than wind and solar farms. In addition, concrete tidal barrages can have lifespans of 100 years3.
- The water is so dense, due to that tidal power plants can generate a lot of energy even at low speeds. Thus, it produces high power.
Cons OR Disadvantages of tidal energy:
- The cost of constructing a power plant is high nowadays since they must be extremely strong to withstand the force of the sea.
- The tidal power plant is not always good for the surrounding environment, even though the energy it produces is environmentally friendly.
- Tidal energy is not constant because we all know the tides go in and out twice a day. Therefore, we need battery energy storage to make the most out of it.
- The installation site must meet very specific requirements in order to build a tidal power plant. Mostly, they need to be located on a coastline, which limits the potential station sites to coastal states.
Thank you for reading this article, If you have any queries regarding this article on the pros and cons of Tidal energy then feel free to do comment and give suggestions in the comment section below.
Top 5 tidal power plants:
- Shiva lake tidal power plant - South Korea (254 MW)
- Swansea bay tidal lagoon - United Kingdon (240MW)
- La rance tidal power station - France (240 MW)
- MeyGen tidal power plant - Scotland (86 MW)
- Annapolis royal generating station - Canada (20MW)
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