Power of the Ocean

[MUNSELL21]

Besides being a natural habitat for millions of organisms and life species, ocean is also a powerhouse of energy. Based on tried and tested principles of hydrodynamic physics and mechanical and electrical engineering, ocean power technologies have been practices since long. Ocean and seas has a vast amount of energy that needs to be tapped properly. It is believed that the energy present in the ocean is so large that if tapped, only 0.2% of it will be sufficient to charge up the whole world’s demand. This is reason enough for the [B][I][url=http://www.worldenergyresearch.com/]Ocean Energy Investment[/url] [/I][/B]to rise in recent years.

The tidal power of the oceans can be tapped in two ways: with the help of dams and ocean currents. The dams use a barrage at a bay or estuary with a large tidal range. In dams, power is generated primarily at ebb tides as the barrage creates a significant head of water. Tidal turbines take advantage of fast-flowing ocean currents to create energy.

Among the renewable energy sources, tidal power is considered to be the most reliable and predictable source. This is mainly because the tides occur reliably, independent of weather and climate change. The tides follow predictable lunar orbits and can be deduced many years in advance. The tidal power is also dispatchable in the sense that its quantity can be increased or decreased on demand, quickly.

[Casey]

I don't like either of these two options. I think when finding alternative methods of producing energy, not only should we use the resources the earth provides, but we need to be respectful of the surrounding eco-systems.

It isn't enough to just use "green" energy, it also needs to be eco-friendly for the wildlife around it. Dams are harmful to eco-systems and I would bet that using tides for energy would somehow impede on wildlife as well.