A scale-up of tidal energy projects aims to expand capacity, improve reliability and prove their worth to investors as a renewable energy source.
It's clean, doesn't spoil the landscape and is totally predictable, yet tidal power is one of the least exploited forms of renewable energy.
The challenge of building out at sea, the toll the salt water can take on equipment and the huge strain the currents can put on components has meant that it is seen as an expensive endeavour.
'The sea is one of the world's most challenging environments,' said Simon Forrest, chief executive of Nova Innovation, a tidal power company based in Edinburgh, UK. 'However, technical innovation and learnings from the wind sector are being used to make the dream of harnessing energy from the tide a reality.'
Last year, Nova Innovation deployed the world's first array of tidal turbines, which were connected to the electricity grid in Shetland, UK.
Predictability and the theoretical energy that can be captured are both attractive, but fouling and wear-and-tear remain barriers.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday October 28 2017, @03:48PM (7 children)
Logical fallacy.
That more birds are killed by windows does not make the slaughter of birds by windmills acceptable.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday October 28 2017, @05:25PM (1 child)
> That more birds are killed by windows does not make the slaughter of birds by windmills acceptable.
OK, but if you care about birds, wouldn't it make sense to put your personal effort where it could do the most good? For example, retrofitting large windows so they don't mirror the clear sky to the birds, using a suitable film or other layer.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday October 28 2017, @06:42PM
Following up one fallacious argument with another is... fallacious.
(Score: 1) by Ethanol-fueled on Saturday October 28 2017, @05:58PM (4 children)
People who want to stop development of wind turbines because of bird strikes are the highest order of snob or moron, and quite possibly both.
(Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday October 28 2017, @06:38PM (3 children)
Also a fallacious argument. The alcohol is not serving you well.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 29 2017, @12:48AM (2 children)
Let me guess, "fallacious" was your new word for today, amiright?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 29 2017, @04:14AM
Calling someone a moron or snob doesn't refute the person's argument.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 29 2017, @03:04PM
It's quite meaty and cromulent, don't you think?