By: Kate McLaughlin & Kyle Hourihan TIDAL ENERGY

WHAT IS TIDAL ENERGY? Tidal Power or Tidal Energy, is a type of hydropower that converts energy from tides into useful forms of power, usually electricity. Even though it is not commonly used, it has the potential for mass electricity generation as tides are more predictable than wind energy, solar power, etc. because they follow a daily cycle.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?  It is an inexhaustible energy source  Tidal energy is an environmentally friendly energy and produces little greenhouse gases  71% of the earth is covered by water, this makes it is possible to generate this energy on large scale  We can predict the rise and fall of tides as they follow a cycle

ADVANTAGES CONTINUED…  Efficiency of tidal power is far greater when compared to coal (33% - 40%), solar (22%) or wind energy ( 70% -75%). Its efficiency is around 80%  Maintenance costs on equipment are relatively low  Doesn’t require any kind of fuel to run  Tidal energy power plants have an extremely long life span

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES?  The cost of construction is very high  Electricity generation is only for a short period of time as tides only happen twice a day so electricity can only be produced at that time  Usually the places where tidal energy is produced are far away from the places where it is consumed. This transmission is expensive and difficult

DISADVANTAGES CONTINUED…  Frozen sea, low or weak tides, low tidal rise or fall are some of the obstructions  Influences aquatic life adversely and can disrupt migration of fish  Intensity of sea waves is unpredictable and there can be damage to power generating units

RESOURCES:   advantages-and.html#axzz3teFsSkos advantages-and.html#axzz3teFsSkos   future.com/Advantages_Disadvantages_WaveEnergy.php future.com/Advantages_Disadvantages_WaveEnergy.php  disadvantages-of-tidal-energy-power/ disadvantages-of-tidal-energy-power/