Why tidal energy is unpopular?
DISADVANTAGES OF TIDAL ENERGY:
Why investors avoid tidal energy? :
1) Despite the several benefits of utilizing tidal energy listed, Tidal energy is still not widely used or credited. This is because among the sources of renewable energy, tidal energy has very high capital cost which deters away investors from participating in projects related to tidal energy. The long lag time before produce returns to the investors has cause tidal energy to become unpopular.
2) Additional costs of construction are often needed to maintain or increase the durability of the tidal energy generators. Occurrences of unpredictable intensive sea waves will cause breakdowns and salt water corrosion can easily damage the generators. Investors will need to spend on expensive materials to reduce the corrosion.
3) There is a limit to its overall usage availability. There are 2 areas when I speak of limited usage; First, not many sites will have the sufficient high tidal ranges or flow velocities. Second, tidal power can only be produced during tidal surges. This will mean only up 10 hours each day (on average), where tidal energy can be produced. Thus, as a reliable source of energy, tidal energy is difficult to be considered.
Environmental impacts? :
1) Marine life can be affected by the construction of the Tidal power plants. For example, the sea life will can be physically harmed by the blades of the turbines. Fishes near the turbine will be unable to escape the water speed and get sucked through. As a result, fish mortality rate per pass through the barrage is about 15%. Also, the existence of the tidal power plants will disrupt fish migrations in the oceans.
2) The flow of salt water will be affected. The exchange of water volume between the basin and the sea will reduce. This will reduce the average salinity of the basin and increase sediment accumulation. Also, the reduced exchange will decrease the turbidity of seawater. With this, sunlight is able to penetrate through
Why investors avoid tidal energy? :
1) Despite the several benefits of utilizing tidal energy listed, Tidal energy is still not widely used or credited. This is because among the sources of renewable energy, tidal energy has very high capital cost which deters away investors from participating in projects related to tidal energy. The long lag time before produce returns to the investors has cause tidal energy to become unpopular.
2) Additional costs of construction are often needed to maintain or increase the durability of the tidal energy generators. Occurrences of unpredictable intensive sea waves will cause breakdowns and salt water corrosion can easily damage the generators. Investors will need to spend on expensive materials to reduce the corrosion.
3) There is a limit to its overall usage availability. There are 2 areas when I speak of limited usage; First, not many sites will have the sufficient high tidal ranges or flow velocities. Second, tidal power can only be produced during tidal surges. This will mean only up 10 hours each day (on average), where tidal energy can be produced. Thus, as a reliable source of energy, tidal energy is difficult to be considered.
Environmental impacts? :
1) Marine life can be affected by the construction of the Tidal power plants. For example, the sea life will can be physically harmed by the blades of the turbines. Fishes near the turbine will be unable to escape the water speed and get sucked through. As a result, fish mortality rate per pass through the barrage is about 15%. Also, the existence of the tidal power plants will disrupt fish migrations in the oceans.
2) The flow of salt water will be affected. The exchange of water volume between the basin and the sea will reduce. This will reduce the average salinity of the basin and increase sediment accumulation. Also, the reduced exchange will decrease the turbidity of seawater. With this, sunlight is able to penetrate through