Below, we list the potential pros and cons of tidal energy.
This guide forms part of a series of guides we have put together outlining the benefits and disadvantages of different energy sources and energy generation methods.
Summary – Pros & Cons Of Tidal Energy
Potential Pros
Is Considered A Renewable Energy Source
Doesn’t Emit Greenhouse Gases, Or Release Air Pollutants Whilst In Operation
No Waste By-Products Are Generated During Operation
Might Have Significant Potential For Future Energy Generation
Tidal Currents Might Be Predictable
Might Be Effective At Lower Water Speeds
Might Have A Good Operating Lifespan
Doesn’t Take Up Inland Land Resources
No Refuelling Required
Potential Cons
Might Still Generally Be A Speculative Energy Source That Requires More Development & Testing
Might Be Costly, & Also Face Issues Related To Economic Feasibility & Profitability
Installation Locations May Generally Be Limited, &, Might Currently Be Limited To Installations Closer To Shore
For Utility Scales Of Use Only – Not For Individual Or Private Use
Not A Portable Energy Source
Impact On Marine Wildlife & Ecosystems Might Be Questionable
General Summary
Tidal energy might have some similarities to wave energy
They both have several sustainability and environmental benefits, and might have significant potential in terms of the amount of energy that is available in the ocean to capture
However, at this stage, it appears to be more of a speculative energy source that needs additional development before it can be used on a larger scale (in terms of installed capacity and also consumption)
*Note
The pros and cons in this guide are broad generalisations.
Each energy project in each geographic location will have it’s own factors and variables to consider, so, each one will require a separate assessment of it’s individual pros and cons.
The development of technology, as well as other factors might change pros and cons in the future too.
What Is Tidal Energy?
Tidal energy works by capturing the kinetic energy in the ocean’s tides and currents
These tides and currents rise and fall, and in the process they push a tidal turbine (which might be installed underwater) to activate an electrical generator to generate electricity
These underwater tidal turbines might look and act similar to wind turbines.
There can also be other tidal energy technologies and devices used to generate electricity from the ocean’s tides and currents
Potential Pros Of Tidal Energy
Is Considered A Renewable Energy Source
Tidal energy relies on ocean undercurrents and tides for energy
High and low tides (and the rise and fall of tides) are a result of mainly gravitational forces (and the gravitational interaction) between Earth’s rotation, the Sun, and also the Moon.
Being that the Sun is estimated to be around for billions more years, it might be accurate to say that tides and undercurrents will be around for somewhere around that timespan too
This would make tides and undercurrents renewable, and tidal energy a renewable energy source
This is unlike fossil fuels for example which are generally seen as finite resources
Doesn’t Emit Greenhouse Gases, Or Release Air Pollutants Whilst In Operation
Without the use of fuel for equipment like pumps, tidal energy doesn’t emit greenhouse gases or release air pollutants whilst in operation.
Tidal energy has one of the lowest emissions footprints of all energy sources
No Waste By-Products Are Generated During Operation
Tidal energy has no waste by-products that are generated during operation.
This is unlike coal for example that has traditionally produced waste by-products like fly ash, or nuclear energy with nuclear waste
Might Have Significant Potential For Future Energy Generation
– Worldwide
Some reports indicate that the worldwide potential for tidal power is estimated to be in the 100’s of Terrawatts a year
This is obviously a significant amount of energy that could be accessed in the future with further development of tidal energy
– In Specific Countries
openaccessgovernment.org indicates that:
… tidal energy could meet as much as 20% of the UK’s current electricity demands
Tidal Currents Might Be Predictable
Tidal currents might be relatively predictable because high and low tide develop with well-known cycles
This predictability might make it easier to do the following things:
– Construct a tidal system with the right dimensions and features
– Project the general power output of tidal energy project over a certain time period
– Plan other energy sources around tidal energy systems
Might Be Effective At Lower Water Speeds
Some reports indicate that water has a 1000 times higher density than air
This high density of water might make it possible to generate electricity even when tides and current are pushing at low speeds
This might give tidal energy a wider range of conditions and opportunities to generate a consistent power output
Might Have A Good Operating Lifespan
The tidal barrage power plant La Rance was opened in 1966 and is currently still operating today.
This might suggest that tidal barrage power plants have a good operating lifespan – at least over 50 years.
This type of lifespan compares favorably to the operating lifespans of some other energy sources too:
The industry standard lifespan for a wind turbine might be 20 to 30 years
Some nuclear reactors might have a lifespan of around 40 years, and potentially up to 80 years
Coal plants might have a lifespan of anywhere from 30 to 46 years on average
Doesn’t Take Up Inland Land Resources
Tidal energy has a similar benefit that both offshore wind and hydroelectricity energy sources have – it can make use of water bodies (like the ocean), and doesn’t need to be installed on inland resources.
This might be beneficial for land scarce regions, or regions that face issues installing other energy sources.
We wrote more about the land footprint of different energy sources in a separate guide.
No Refuelling Required
Tidal energy doesn’t require refuelling like coal energy plants or nuclear energy reactors does do
Potential Cons Of Tidal Energy
Might Still Generally Be A Speculative Energy Source That Requires More Development & Testing
Tidal energy hasn’t been developed, and hasn’t been used for electricity production and consumption to anywhere near the extent that other energy sources have across many countries in the world yet.
It might still be in the development and testing stage as an energy source
Additional policy support, more funding, research and development, and more real world demonstration and results (of performance and feasibility) might be needed before tidal energy can expand and scale up.
Might Be Costly, & Also Face Issues Related To Economic Feasibility & Profitability
There are several reports online that comment on the high cost of tidal energy.
A summary of what some of those reports mention about the cost of tidal energy is:
– It is generally an expensive/costly form of energy
– It can be far more expensive on a megawatt per hour basis than other renewable energy sources like wind and solar
– It might be much more capital intensive than offshore wind energy
Additionally, because of the current cost of tidal energy, it might not be profitable yet for investors or those providing funding for tidal energy projects.
Installation Locations May Generally Be Limited, &, Might Currently Be Limited To Installations Closer To Shore
– Installation Locations Generally Limited
In general, there may be a limited number of suitable locations to install tidal energy devices and technology that meet requirements or criteria.
For example:
– There might only be a small number of countries that currently have tidal energy technology installed (such as France, and South Korea, to name a few)
– Some reports indicate that there are only a few locations in the US where tidal energy could be set up and produce electricity at a reasonable price.
– Limited To Installations Closer To Shore
Current technology might not be adequate to install tidal energy devices offshore, or further out from shore.
It might only be sufficient for onshore locations, or, locations closer to shore.
This is a potential limitation for tidal energy right now.
For Utility Scales Of Use Only – Not For Individual Or Private Use
Tidal energy is for utility scale energy capture and electricity generation only
It isn’t installed on private property, or used by individuals, like solar energy or wind energy can be
Not A Portable Energy Source
Other energy sources like solar energy (using solar panels for example) are more portable sources of energy than tidal energy
Impact On Marine Wildlife & Ecosystems Might Be Questionable
There might not be solid or comprehensive data yet on how tidal energy devices and setups impact marine wildlife and ecosystems.
More data might be needed to get a solid conclusion on the exact impact.
Sources
1. http://energyinformative.org/tidal-energy-pros-and-cons/
2. http://efficientgreenpower.com/tidal-energy
3. https://www.renewableresourcescoalition.org/alternative-energy-sources/
4. https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/tidal-power/103182/
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rance_Tidal_Power_Station
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