Should tidal power be explored as an energy alternative? |
Tidal power, or tidal energy, must be seriously considered as an option to fossil fuels, today, by all nations, since it provides a virtually limitless and highly predictable form of conductivity.
Although working models of this hydropower form bear extremely expensive fruit, tidal power has pushed and pulled inventors since the Roman Empire reigned. In one form or another, society has employed tidal power for eons, because, like wind energy it's always there. But, as importantly, it's a predictable source. That, alone, makes the current in the water the preferred choice to the current in the air. Today's tidal power comes at a high cost. The power plants, or barriers, are expensive to build and maintain, and produce relatively little energy for the effort expended, making the return on investment unattractive to the consumer. However, if the same scale of attention and development was focused on creating more economical harnessing methods as that which has been focused on the collection of fossil fuels, tidal power would soon be our cheapest source of energy.
Posted by: SmugAbnerThe movement of water on this earth, due to its natural rotation, has the potential to harness a lot of energy in a way which is largely unobtrusive.
The energy potential from the movement of tides is large. And harnessing such technology would not involve the manufacture and installation of large and unpopular forms of alternative energy, such as nuclear power plants or wind turbines. The equipment to harness tidal energy would largely be out at sea, and far away from human residences, making issues of them being unsightly on the landscape or seascape moot.
Posted by: RaymoCanyonsYes, tidal power should be included in the search for viable energy alternatives, because tides will be an earthly constant.
Working wave or tidal power generators now exist. To exclude this method of generating does not take into account the natural and timeless nature of tides. The coastal areas are vast and should be taken advantage of, especially considering two things: tidal power is clean, and it's always present. One does not have to worry about the strength of tides, from one day to the next, as it remains constant.
Posted by: MoaningGaston86I agree because it is an understudied self renewing resource
Tidal power is certainly something we should be exploring. The technology is available as harnessing tidal power would be similar to river damming. It would be a great source of power for coastal regions. Tidal power is self generating and can only be weakened by tidal behavior or strength. The expense would be greater than wind or solar energy and maintaining tidal power plants would be more costly than other methods as well due to water erosion and in part to storm activity but, it is still a great alternative and we need to explore every avenue for energy production.
Posted by: R4zuMainTidal power should be explored as an alternative energy source because it is renewable and dependable while non-polluting.
Any source of potential energy should be explored and tidal power has shown great promise. There are definitely hurdles to overcome but progress has been made, as evidenced by the display at the oceanographic institute in Oregon. It research were as heavily subsidized as "dirty energy" we would probably be enjoying the results already.
Posted by: vempyrik 66I agree that we should explore the use of tidal power as alternative energy, as it would be better for the environment as well as making us less dependent on other counties.
With the rising cost of gas, and our relationships with other nations, it only makes sense that we try to explore possible alternatives for energy to lower costs and resources in the long run.
Posted by: Sweet CakesTidal power should be explored as an energy alternative because focus on renewable is where regulations are headed
Focus on tidal power should be explored as an energy alternative because "green" regulations are becoming more and more stringent. The focus continues to be on renewable energy. Currently, everyone is focusing a lot of attention on solar and wind renewable energy, but any source of renewables should be explored. This is especially the case in a state such as California, which has a renewables portfolio standard.
Posted by: SandDariTidal power is an alternative source of energy that should be explored along with other alternatives.
At this point in time, all alternatives deserve equal investigation. There are some alternatives that look more promising than others, but we should not rule put any alternative yet. In order to avert an oil crisis, however, we should start investing in nuclear power now while investigating other alternatives. We have used nuclear power for many years with no catastrophic accidents. Nuclear power is the bridge from oil to other alternative sources of energy.
Posted by: Lex58Tidal power should be explored for energy, because it is always there and totally clean.
Tides are always going in and out. Their energy is not disrupted by cloudy days or long nights. They happen routinely like clockwork, unlike wind. Tides also don't damn up rivers, nor do they demand agricultural acreage and eat into our food supply. Of all the green energy possibilities, tidal energy has the fewest drawbacks and is the most reliable.
Posted by: FlakyHerb64We should harness the natural power of the earth as an energy alternative.
I am in shock that this isn't already a primary source of power for our country. Tidal power seems like it would be the easiest power to obtain and harness, not to mention distribute. Since most major cities are near the coasts, wouldn't it make sense to use this as primary power source? The tide will never stop and can be counted on as an energy source that will never stop producing.
Posted by: R3ubHockeyI believe tidal power should be explored as an energy alternative because it is limitless and green.
I believe tidal power should be explored as an alternative source of energy because it is a natural resource that does not damage the environment in any way. Just as wind turbines are already successfully generating clean energy in California, I believe tidal power could be successfully harnessed to supply power for all major coastal cities.
Posted by: jacecadyTidal waves can be used just like windmills and can have a good benefit on society.
I believe that if they constructed a way to use tidal waves for energy, it could be very good for the world and could save a lot of money making other forms of energy out of unnecessary things. Tidal waves can be very good as they always are free running and they appear that they could be sued in many different ways to harness energy.
Posted by: waffletimeYes, tidal power could be a great, reliable energy source.
Yes, tidal power ought to be examined as a potential energy source, although I haven't really heard much about this. It sounds like a great idea; it would be a renewable source, since the tides are a constant, unlike solar power. If there was a reliable way to generate energy from the tides, it would be a great resource, one that is consistent, and I would imagine clean, and possibly quite a lot of power could be created in this way.
Posted by: PinkMychI think that there is no reason to not explore tidal power as an energy alternative.
Tidal power should be explored as an energy alternative. We should study anything that could be a possible alternative, as long as it is safe for the environment, economical, and not harmful to anyone or anything. If it feasible that if could work as a solution, it should definitely be explored as an option.
Posted by: EImerN4thI am all for trying to harness the power of the Ocean for alternative energy.
I am for trying to learn ways that use the power of the tides to create energy. Who could oppose that? I do feel that it should be done with private money however. The ocean is a great source of power, we should learn to use it. Tides are the closest thing to perpetual motion that the earth has.
Posted by: BriaBlackenAll possible energy alternatives should be explored.
It is important to research and explore all types of energy alternatives. Particular emphasis should be placed on those types of energy that do not harm the environment - like wind and tidal power. These alternatives are simply using the natural things around us to use as energy. These methods make the most sense. There is endless supply.
Posted by: VasilBuddyWith the current state of global warming, any kind of alternative, renewable energy source should be explored.
With the current state of climate change, any renewable source of energy should be explored, including harnessing tidal power. Should the technology be prohibitively expensive, however, then it would not be worth it. The burning of fossil fuels is hurting our environment in many ways and those fuels will eventually run out so we must explore other ways to meet our energy needs.
Posted by: NatBIabTidal power should be explored as an energy alternative.
Tidal power is just like the word says: powerful! Taking a moving, forcible water source and putting it to good use is well worth looking into. Energy alternatives are a must since the USA and China use up the most fossil fuels in the world. Since both of these countries have ocean shores to use to the fullest, then it should be encouraged to explore such a possibility.
Posted by: FriendlyEzra34If it can be done without major damage to the environment, there is no reason to avoid exploration.
Tidal power is a potential source of essentially free power. While there are environmental concerns, these can be mitigated or even avoided by refining the technology. There would be no reason to avoid exploring the potential of this technology. If the environmental concerns are not preventable, then exploration can always be ended and the idea put aside until new advancements are made.
Posted by: KnownEvanAny alternative power source should be explored.
Any type of power source that yields power at a low cost should be explored. If we can build power supply stations at a low cost and yield power at great rates for a low-cost yield, then that should be looked at. We should always look at alternative power sources. It never hurts to find alternative power. It would be dumb not to. We already harnessed power from the wind and water such as dams. Why not harness power from natural tidal sources? It's free. It doesn't cost us anything to use the tides.
Posted by: SlipArnalI am in favor of exploring all alternative energy sources, as fossil fuels are running out.
Oil supply is a looming concern across the globe. We are using up our fossil fuel supply, and the use of this type of fuel creates a lot of carbon dioxide waste products. This is contributing to climate change. Therefore, tidal power should be considered as a viable alternative energy source, along with solar and wind power.
Posted by: babyuniqhTidal power is an excellent area for exploration in power generation, because its source is immense and reliable.
The shores of all of the major powers in the world today touch the oceans. The tidal power of the oceans is immense, constantly available, and reliable. Generation of power from tidal currents can be clean, efficient, and safe. No dangerous waste products are produced via this method of power generation. The environmental impact is minimal. Tidal power is efficient, predictable, clean, and effective.
Posted by: 5h3rIsdead
Not enough power.
They are a great way to create renewable energy and a great idea, but they are not advanced yet. They require a lot of maintenance and are very expensive when compared to dams. Also they don't produce a sufficient amount of energy to be thought of as useful. Tidal barrages need to be more developed before this project could run on a large scale.
Posted by: Anonymous