Current trends and prospects of tidal energy technology

Abstract

Generation of energy across the world is today reliant majorly on fossil fuels. The burning of these fuels is growing in line with the increase in the demand for energy globally. Consequently, climate change, air contamination, and energy security issues are rising as well. An efficient alternative to this grave hazard is the speedy substitution of fossil fuel-based carbon energy sources with the shift to clean sources of renewable energy that cause zero emissions. This needs to happen in conjunction with the continuing increase in the overall consumption of energy worldwide. Many resources of renewable energy are available. These include thermal, solar photovoltaic, biomass and wind, tidal energy, hydropower, and geothermal. Notably, tidal energy exhibits great potential with regard to its dependability, superior energy density, certainty, and durability. The energy mined from the tides on the basis of steady and anticipated vertical movements of the water, causing tidal currents, could be converted into kinetic energy to produce electricity. Tidal barrages could channel mechanical energy, while tidewater river turbines can seize the energy from tidal currents. This study discusses the present trends, ecological effects, and the prospects for technology related to tidal energy.

Keywords: Current trends; Environmental impact; Prospects; Tidal energy.

Fig. 1

World energy demand comparison from 2015 to 2018 (Newell et al. 2019)

Fig. 2

World renewable electricity capacity, 2012–2021 (IEA 2020)

Fig. 3

Ocean power generation scenario, 2000–2030 (IEA 2020b)

Fig. 4

Global tidal energy policy issues (Fox et al. 2018)

Fig. 5

Challenges in the development of tidal energy (Energy, December 2012)