![]() Wave power makes use of the rising and falling of waves in an air chamber to force the trapped air up through a turbine, which produces electricity. Also related to location, electricity generation reliant upon tidal energy can only be cited in certain locations where it can take advantage of an incoming or outgoing tide, which means other forms of renewable energy must also be built if the total is ever to make a serious dent in the reliance upon high-polluting fossil fuel-burning power stations.Īlthough both rely on the movement of the sea, wave power is distinctly different from tidal power. The underwater location makes installation and maintenance of the equipment more difficult, time consuming and costly than it would do if it were out on dry land where it is easier to get to. Once up and running though, both tidal turbines and barriers require no fuel to be bought as the source of energy is free and unlimited.Īnother disadvantage that both have is the potential negative environmental impact upon fish and other aquatic creatures living in the water, particularly tidal barriers which can block the progress of migrating salmon or cause injury and death to any creatures unfortunate enough to become entangled in the underwater turbine. Although in reality all forms of electricity generation are expensive undertakings which take large amounts of time and money to create. ![]() Unlike tidal turbines, tidal barriers have large sections built out of the water which means that they can spoil the look of the area.įor both types of tidal power, the initial cost can be high to build all of the necessary structures. Lock gates allow ships to pass so that the tidal barrier does not completely block up the waterway with it being built right across. The flow of water through small gaps as the tide goes in or out drives a turbine which generates the electricity. Tidal barriers are built right across a river estuary. Tidal turbines are one of the few examples of renewable sources of energy which are not visually intrusive as they will be hidden beneath the water, which unfortunately cannot be said of their wind power relatives on land which have to be tall to capture the wind, and so can be seen for miles around. These work on the same principle as wind turbines, but instead of airflow turning the propeller blades they are rotated by the flow of water as the tide comes in or recedes (whilst some may be fixed in place, some tidal turbines can rotate 180 degrees to take advantage of the tide coming in and going out). ![]() Whereas wave power generates electricity in small, continual amounts through the rising and falling of the waves pushing air in and out of a turbine, tidal power produces electricity in a much great amount, but only as the tides ebb and flow. Both methods though produce clean, renewable energy which might otherwise have to be produced from the burning of fossil fuels. Whilst there are some disadvantages associated with each - as there are with all forms of renewable energy generation - the overall benefits over the long term always outweigh the negatives in terms of protecting the environment. These differences are outlined below, with a description explaining what each one is, and some advantages and disadvantages for each particular method of electricity generation. Although both rely on the movement of the sea, wave power is distinctly different from tidal power.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |