Tidal is punctual: its availability can be predicted every day, every year, every century into the future. Intermittent renewables like wind and solar fluctuate: they require extra electrical infrastructure to ensure consumer demand for electricity is always met. PredictableĪs a renewable source of power, predictability is tidal energy’s game-changing strength. Tidal Energy Resources – Inventory of Canada’s Marine Renewable Energy Resources, 2006. Power goes up exponentially with speed every time water speeds double, power goes up eight times. As coastlines approach each other, or as the seafloor shallows, the water is ‘pinched.’ This pinch increases the speed of the water: like pressing a thumb on to a garden hose. Tidal resources are often found in narrow passages. Their orbits are predictable so is the availability of tidal energy. Tides are created by the gravitational pull of the sun, moon and the rotation of the earth. The Minas Passage area of the Bay of Fundy is home to an estimated 7,000 megawatts of energy potential, roughly equal to the power needs of 2 million homes – or all of Atlantic Canada. That’s enough clean power to displace over 113 million tonnes of CO2 – equal to removing over 24 million cars off the road. Tidal energy is an abundant source of emission-free power.Ĭanada has an estimated tidal energy potential of 35,700 megawatts (MW).
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