From Guest Blogger Addison Appleby: The Facts on Tidal Power

Modern studies show that the potential for tidal power is upwards of 700 TWh a year, and this means it is appealing to private investors as well as federal organizations that are trying to make the switch to clean energy. Just as with any form of energy, however, there are both pros and cons that come with tidal power and many wonder how viable this source of energy is, what impact it has on the environment, and how well it stacks up to other renewable and near-renewable energy sources.

The Basics of Tidal Energy
When it comes to green energy, tidal energy is one of the most recent developments with plants now being built around the world. Tidal power plants work much like wind turbines in the fact that large propellers are driven by natural forces. As the tides go in and out, the fans will move in two different directions in order to power the turbine. A slightly less popular form of tidal energy utilizes large foils that vibrate and nod as the tides move in and out in order to generate electricity.

The Predictability of Renewable Energy
No matter how far renewable energy has come in recent years, it can still be unpredictable. Ideal locations can be found for popular options such as solar energy and wind farms, but the efficiency and productivity of these plants will change throughout each season. Tidal energy, on the other hand, is much more predictable and therefore much more efficient. This results in a nearly 80 percent efficiency for tidal energy when it comes to the energy that is used and energy that is created.

The Pros and Cons of Tidal Energy Plants
Unlike other common forms of green and renewable energy, tidal energy turbines require almost no outside energy and very little maintenance once they have been built. Unfortunately, the initial costs of creating a tidal energy plant are much higher, and this can become prohibitive for countries or private organizations that do not have the initial capital to fund the venture. While these plants are exceptionally green, they do also post some problems to local wildlife. Some specialists claim that expanding the use of these turbines will gradually affect the movement of migratory ocean life which could spell disaster in the future.

Final Analysis
In its current state, there are relatively few instances of tidal energy plants, but the numbers are on the rise. Currently, the commercial production of energy from tidal movements is scant, but research in the field does show that this type of green energy may be profitable in the future. As the initial costs of building each plant is reduced, the overall profit and energy production of each plant will go up. Along with this, as more research is carried out on the transference of energy, the long trip between the plant itself and the final destination of the electricity will make this a much more cost effective option. Finally, once more information is gathered on the vast underwater migrations of underwater life, the world will quickly see the potential of tidal energy as one of the leading sources of a greener planet.

Addison Appleby is an IT specialist and technology writer from Tucson, Arizona. She has many interests, including web design, renewable energy, electric cars, and curbing greenhouse gas emissions.