#TIDAL ENERGY FREE#

This build up affects a tidal basin ecosystem in negative ways, causing habitat changes for aquatic life as well as for birds that may rely on low tides to unearth mud flats that are used as feeding areas. These dams may also cause silt to build up along the dam. Tidal energy systems that use dams may restrict fish migration. Tidal power systems are currently expensive to develop and they cannot be built in any location. There are a limited number of locations worldwide that have tidal ranges large enough to make tidal power cost-effective. Today, it is reported that tidal power contributes 10 GW which is equivalent to 50 of the tidal power capacity produced in Europe. It is also sustainable because its energy comes from the lunar and solar cycle. Tidal energy has, because of this improved capacity, risen to 4 GWh in 2015. This makes tidal energy reliable and easy to integrate with the grid. It does not require the transport of fuels or disposal of waste products.Įnergy output from tidal power generators is predictable since we can accurately predict when tides occur.

#TIDAL ENERGY FREE#

Once a dam, barrage or tidal fence is built, the energy production is free since tidal power harnesses the natural power of tides. Tidal energy does not create air, water, or thermal pollution. The infrastructure (basic building facilities and installations) required to develop tidal energy is a tidal power plant to make power and the electrical grid for power distribution.

The factors needed to determine the ideal shore location of a tidal power plant include a large tidal range and a funnel shaped shoreline pointing inland.