By: Sebastian Belk Megan Whitley Tidal and Wave Power By: Sebastian Belk Megan Whitley
What is the main goal of Tidal and Wave Power? The main goal of Tidal and Wave Power is to capture the power generated by the waves and produce hydroelectric power.
What is the overall potential in “making a difference” to the world? Cheap energy Renewable No greenhouse gasses Reliable
How it Functions/Operates Ebb generation-Water fills a basin through the sluice gate (at high tide) until it is full; at which time the gates are closed. After the tide goes out, the gates are opened and the turbines capture the energy. http://re.emsd.gov.hk/english/other/marine/marine_tech.html
How could technology stall mass implementation? Building underwater turbines to tolerate the force of the water Finding a structures that can produce the optimum amount of power while not disrupting the environment Pre-testing for the different types of wave energy generators takes a long time and is a difficult process http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x134508
Political/economical obstacles that could stall implementation High capital cost and low running cost Lag time before investment return High irreversible commitment http://localism.com/neighbor/nicklateur
Negative Environmental Impact Sea life affected The tidal fences that capture energy also trap larger sea life Turbines could kill fish if they get too close http://www.goodcleantech.com/2007/08/tidal_turbine_projects_move_fo.php
Bibliography http://www.greenstudentu.com/encyclopedia/energy/tidal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_power http://www.sciencedirect.com/science http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/