A thirst quenching solution for global electricity

In a world thirty for electricity, what better way to quench it than with water? A new report on tidal energy indicates oceans could conceivably generate a quarter of the world’s electricity needs.  

Not at some Star Trek-distant future, but within six short years.

Tidal power has its obvious advantages. The top of the list is reliability. Tides and waves are the very definition of reliable. Unlike solar power than can be thwarted by clouds and the day night cycle, the ocean doesn’t take holidays. And given that most of world’s population centers are adjacent to the sea, it’s a convenient solution as well.

So why aren’t we seeing more tidal power projects being launched into full-scale commercial production? 

Tidal power is facing a veritable tsunami of obstacles. The infrastructure costs can be prohibitive, shores are politically and environmentally sensitive, and the working conditions can be ghastly.  Ever see The Perfect Storm?  Exactly.  

Even the most optimistic projections, acknowledge the high infrastructure cost to low output problem posed by ocean power. Ultimately, its success depends on continuing high energy costs to offset upfront construction costs for the foreseeable future.  

The period between product prototypes and commercialization can seem gloomy. Many analysts compare this period to the “valley of death” wind power faced around 1980. Indeed, wind power was a much more expensive and confused industry, with differing designs and concepts competing for investment cash.  

It’s true that ocean power is further along and developing faster than wind power when it started its journey through the valley of death, but ocean power still has a lot of rowing to do.