Faced with growing concerns about the scarcity of natural resources and demands for sustainability, tidal energies are emerging as an option with great potential. Although many marine energy technologies are still in the experimental phase, tidal energy stands out as one of the most technically advanced. Its ability to offer a constant and predictable energy production, is awakening the interest of many countries that are betting on it as a complement to intermittent renewable energies, such as solar or wind.
Exploit the stability of ocean currents
La Seawater energy It takes advantage of the currents caused by the tides, transforming their kinetic energy into electricity. Unlike other renewable energies that depend on the sun or the wind, tidal energy is characterized by being highly predictable, since the tides are governed by predictable lunar cycles. In this way, it allows for more effective planning of energy production.
Ocean currents have the advantage of being extremely stable, with constant flow rates that can be exploited for many hours a day. This can be particularly advantageous in geographical areas such as the United Kingdom, Canada, France and East Asia, where tidal differences are more pronounced.
Technologies to harness tidal energy
The use of tidal energy can be done by Tidal Current Turbines or with systems of tidal barrages. The turbines operate underwater in a similar way to wind turbines, moving with the force of the currents. There are projects such as the one Swansea Bay Plant in Wales, which uses an artificial lagoon with a specially shaped dam to generate power. This is just one example of how tidal energy can contribute to the electricity grid.
Another technology is the tidal barrage system, which takes advantage of the difference between high and low tide to generate energy, similar to a hydroelectric plant. However, these types of projects are more expensive and can have a greater environmental impact.
Tidal energy versus other renewable energies
One of the biggest advantages of tidal energy over other renewable sources, such as solar or wind, is its predictability. While wind and sun can be intermittent, tides follow regular, known cycles, making it easier to produce electricity at a lower cost. constant and controlled.
In addition, the systems used to take advantage of the tides usually have a low environmental impact, as they do not pollute or produce waste as fossil fuels do. They are also silent and generally have minimal visual impact when underwater.
Main challenges and benefits of tidal energy
One of the main challenges facing this energy is its high initial investment cost, related to the necessary infrastructure and the difficult conditions of the marine environment. However, in the long term, these systems offer significant benefits in terms of reducing carbon emissions and creating a clean and continuous source of energy.
In Europe, countries such as the United Kingdom and France are at the forefront of developing tidal power projects. A good example is the La Rance plant in France, one of the first large commercial plants of this type in the world. In addition, the TIGER project in the English Channel seeks to promote the development of tidal power technologies, taking advantage of the strong currents in that region.
Environmental impact and sustainability
The environmental impact of tidal energy is a major concern. However, most studies have shown that the effects are minimal compared to other forms of energy generation. Submarine structures can affect local marine ecosystems, but these impacts are usually controlled and mitigated during the design phase of projects.
In terms of sustainability, tidal energy appears to be one of the most promising sources given its low emissions impact and its long-term operating capacity. As this technology advances, efficiency improvements and cost reductions are expected to increase its competitiveness compared to other renewable sources.
Featured projects in tidal energy
One of the most advanced projects is the plant Swansea Bay in the United Kingdom, which could be the world's first artificial tidal lake. This project envisages a generation capacity of up to 320 MW for 14 hours a day, and if successful, the model could be replicated along other British coasts to generate a significant part of the country's energy in a clean and sustainable way.
Despite initial challenges, tidal energy continues to establish itself as a viable alternative for a cleaner future. With projects such as those of HydroQuest in Normandy and mutriku In Spain, technological progress is showing that this form of renewable energy is increasingly competitive.
Investment in research and development in tidal energy promises to significantly expand its potential, making exploitation more efficient and reducing production costs. Just as solar and wind energy have seen great improvements in the past, tidal technology is expected to follow a similar path and drive the global energy transition.
Better still that the energy of the tides is that of the waves that are more constant, I have the technology for this, what collaboration can I provide?