

Tidal power is also more predictable and consistent than wind or solar energy, both of which are intermittent and less predictable. The Water Power Technologies Office of the Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that energy from waves, tides, and ocean currents have the combined potential to generate enough electricity to power millions of homes.īecause water is denser than air, tidal energy is more powerful than wind energy, producing exponentially more power at the same turbine diameter and rotor speed. Researchers recognize the vast potential of the ocean to produce reliable, renewable energy for a variety of uses. Suitable locations for capturing tidal energy include those with large differences in tidal range, which is the difference between high tide and low tides, and where tidal channels and waterways become smaller and tidal currents become stronger.Īs worldwide demand for clean electricity, renewable fuels, and critical materials for energy and industrial processes grows, it is crucial to identify and secure sustainable energy resources beyond what is currently available. Other forms of energy can also be generated from the ocean, including waves, persistent ocean currents, and the differences in temperature and salinity in seawater. Using specially engineered generators in suitable locations, tidal energy can be converted into useful forms of power, including electricity. Tidal currents with sufficient energy for harvesting occur when water passes through a constriction, causing the water to move faster. Tidal energy is a form of power produced by the natural rise and fall of tides caused by the gravitational interaction between Earth, the sun, and the moon. Interdiction Technology and Integration Laboratory.Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory.Electricity Infrastructure Operations Center.Atmospheric Radiation Measurement User Facility.Linus Pauling Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship.Distinguished Graduate Research Programs.Hydropower Cybersecurity and Digitalization.Environmental Performance of Hydropower.Marine Energy Resource Characterization.Environmental Monitoring for Marine Energy.Grid Integration, Controls, and Architecture.Energy Efficient Technology Integration.Mass Spectrometry-Based Measurement Technologies.
