Unlocking the Potential of Tidal Energy: A New Era Ahead
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Chapter 1: The Promise of Tidal Energy
The world is on the brink of a significant transformation in energy production. A recent €20 million funding initiative from the EU may be the catalyst needed to tap into a largely overlooked, ultra-clean energy source. To ensure the prosperity of our environment, economy, and communities through the century, achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is essential. This target is backed by a strong scientific consensus, and it will require groundbreaking advancements to change this trajectory. However, reaching net-zero emissions is a daunting challenge. We must rapidly embrace all viable forms of low-carbon energy to meet this ambitious goal. Unfortunately, the cleanest energy source available is being vastly underutilized, resulting in the loss of substantial tidal energy potential.
Tidal energy harnesses the power of ocean tides in a manner akin to wind energy, where turbines are driven by the ebb and flow of tides. Unlike wind, tides are consistent and predictable, offering a reliable energy source. Additionally, since water is denser than air, tidal currents can carry significantly more kinetic energy than wind, despite their slower flow rates. Consequently, a single tidal turbine can generate much more energy than a similarly sized wind turbine, making tidal energy the lowest carbon energy source available. For context, solar energy emits 48 grams of CO2 per kWh, wind energy 12 grams, and nuclear energy also 12 grams, whereas tidal energy contributes only 1.8 grams per kWh.
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The consistency of tidal movements means that energy grids powered by tidal energy will rely less on large-scale battery systems compared to those powered by wind or solar energy. This aspect not only simplifies the integration of tidal energy into existing grids, but also helps to minimize the overall carbon emissions associated with tidal energy.
Section 1.1: The Barriers to Tidal Energy Adoption
Despite its potential, tidal energy has often been overlooked. The primary obstacle is cost. Underwater turbines must be engineered to withstand severe storms and resist corrosive saltwater, resulting in high construction expenses. Furthermore, the lack of a dedicated tidal turbine manufacturing industry means that each turbine is custom-built, driving costs up even further. Currently, tidal energy is priced at £300 per MWh, which is ten times more expensive than wind and solar, five times the cost of coal or gas, and three times pricier than nuclear power.
However, prices could decrease as technology advances and production scales up. Until recently, investment in tidal energy was limited due to these high costs.
Subsection 1.1.1: Nova's Role in Tidal Energy Advancement
Nova has made significant strides in tidal energy. The company established the world's first tidal energy array in Shetland, Scotland, in 2016, utilizing three of its M100D turbines to validate the technology. By 2018, Nova expanded the array with three additional turbines, achieving a total capacity of 600 kW. Throughout this process, Nova has improved its technology and operations, resulting in economic growth, job creation, and enhanced energy security for Shetland, while also reducing tidal energy costs by an impressive 40%.
The success of this endeavor has attracted the attention of influential stakeholders, including the EU, which has decided to invest in a new substantial Nova tidal energy project in Scotland.
Chapter 2: The Seastar Project
The Seastar project aims to construct a 4 MW tidal power array off the coast of Orkney, which is 6.6 times more powerful than the Shetland project. To achieve this, larger turbines with greater output are necessary; otherwise, the number of turbines required would be economically unfeasible. Seastar will employ 16 of Nova's upcoming M500D turbines, designed for scalable development to meet diverse energy needs, from local aquaculture to large-scale utility installations.
However, financing is crucial for the project's initiation. The EU's Horizon Europe program has stepped in, pledging €20 million to support Seastar. While the exact costs of Seastar and Nova's Shetland array remain unknown, it's likely that this funding will cover a substantial part of the Seastar expenses, especially considering a comparable solar farm would only cost around €4 million.
The exciting aspect of this funding is its purpose. According to Nova's press release, the investment is intended to "kick-start mass manufacturing of tidal turbines" at their Edinburgh headquarters. This initiative could allow tidal turbines to transition from being custom projects to mass-produced products accessible to energy providers, marking a pivotal moment that could make tidal energy affordable and facilitate rapid global adoption. Some projections suggest that mass production could lower the price of tidal energy to $120 per kWh, making it more cost-effective than many nuclear power plants.
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Conclusion: The Future of Tidal Energy
While tidal energy may not revolutionize the global energy landscape, it holds the potential to significantly impact regions with abundant tidal resources, such as the UK, which anticipates that tidal energy could eventually supply 11% of its energy needs. This development could be instrumental in helping the UK and other tidal-rich countries like Canada, France, and New Zealand achieve net-zero emissions and contribute to global sustainability efforts. The success of the Seastar project could finally position tidal energy as the eco-friendly alternative it was meant to be.
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(Originally published on PlanetEarthAndBeyond.co) Sources: The Independent, ORE, BBC, Will Lockett, Nova, Renews.biz, Tethys, Britannica, Anthropocene