Tidal Energy By: Tyler Taylor

What is Tidal Energy Tidal energy is a renewable resource that is still in its early stages. The energy is produced by the surge of ocean waters during the rise and fall of tides.

Locations of use There are very few commercial-sized tidal power plants operating in the world. The first is located in La Rance, France. The largest facility is the Sihwa Lake Tidal Power Station in South Korea. Most countries around the world do not have the tidal force necessary for tidal energy to be beneficial to the economy. In the U.S. there are no tidal energy plants, and there are only a few places within the states where it would cost a reasonable price to operate. Many places around the world like China, France, England, Canada, and Russia. Have much more potential to create and operate tidal plants, and see economic benefits from these plants.

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Tidal energy and how it works There are 3 different ways to get energy from waves and tides. 1 Tidal streams 2 barrages 3 tidal lagoons

Tidal Streams The first tidal plant was constructed in 2007 in Northern Ireland. A tidal stream is a fast-flowing body of water created by tides. A Turbine is placed in the stream, it is a machine that takes energy from a flow of fluid.  Sense water is much more dense than air the energy output is larger than wind.

Barrages First barrage opened in 1966 in Britney, France. Another type of tidal energy generator uses a large dam called a barrage. With a barrage, water spills over the top or through turbines in the dam because the dam is low. Turbines inside the barrage harness the power of tides the same way a river dam harnesses the power of a river. The barrage gates are open as the tide rises. At high tide, the barrage gates close, creating a pool. The water is then released through the barrage's turbines, creating energy at a rate that can be controlled by engineers.

Tidal Lagoons China is constructing a tidal lagoon power plant at the Yalu River, near its border with North Korea. A tidal lagoon is a body of ocean water that is partly enclosed by a natural or manmade barrier. A tidal lagoon would function like a barrage. However, tidal lagoons can be constructed along the natural coastline. A tidal lagoon power plant could also generate continuous power. The turbines work as the lagoon is filling and emptying.

Future Use Many tidal energy companies think that ocean energy could satisfy 10 to 15% of European Union power demand by 2050, enough to serve some 115 million homes. Worldwide ocean power is forecast to produce only 1 gigawatt of electricity by 2020, a fraction of the 370 gigawatts generated by wind at the end of 2014. The $400 million in investments in the wave and tidal energy were out shadowed by last year by the $150 billion in investments in solar power.

Economic and Environmental Advantages 1 economic benefit of Tidal energy is that it is completely predictable. Most oceans have very well mapped out tides. Making it easy to build these energy plants in locations were they will remain for forever theoretically. 1 out of 2 environmental benefits of the power source is that it is clean. There is no carbon emissions form extracting the energy. 2 out if 2 is that the energy is never ending, tides always come in and out which means plants wont have to be relocated or destroyed furthering environmental disruption.

Economic and Environmental Disadvantages 1 economic disadvantage is that tidal plants are extremely expensive to build. It is projected that by 2020 tidal energy will be more profitable due to large scale technological advances. 1 out 2 environmental disadvantages caused by tidal power is the negative effect on tides. Many of the ways to catch the energy from the tides. The turbines or dams that are placed in the water ways, completely stop the flow of water naturally or change it. 2 out of 2 is that minerals can be negatively displaced. At the Rance River, the barrage has led to an increased level of silt in the habitat. Native aquatic plants suffocate in silt, and a flatfish called plaice is now extinct in the area.

Effects on human life 1- positive effect of tidal energy on the human populations is that it can provide long term jobs. Many plants can last for years, and the plant in La Rance was opened in 1966. It is still in full operation and produces large amounts of energy. 1- disadvantage is its disruption on tides. This could cause for loss in recreational space for surfing or any water activities that need the waves.

Obstacles to Overcome Many people have problems with tidal energy is that it is very expensive. It can disrupt nature and kill of species. Many people aren't in favor of these negative trade offs and would rather invest in wind and solar even though those can be unpredictable.

Sources Electronic Sources: sophia v. schweitzer (10/15/2015). Will Tidal and Wave Energy Ever Live Up to Their Potential?. Retrieved from http://e360.yale.edu/feature/will_tidal_and_wave_energy_ever_live_up_ to_their_potential/2920/ on 03/18/2016. Mathias Aarre Maehlum, May 5, 2013, Tidal Energy Pros and Cons. Retrieved from http://energyinformative.org/tidal-energy-pros-and-cons/ on 03/16/2016 Books: John Tabak (2009).Energy and the Environment: WIND and WATER. 132 W 31st Street New York NY 10001