Tidal Power - Marine Current Turbines

by Pete Styles
(Utah, US)

Tidal Power Project

I don't live anywhere near the sea, but the power of the tides is simply awesome! And tidal power can provide huge reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. So what are we waiting for?

From an early stage tidal mills were built in the eighteenth century and the only major competition were windmills and water wheels. It appears, since at least 1958 we have been harnessing the power of tides to produce electricity. From readings, I also appreciate we have been harnessing tide power since prehistoric times. from what I understand the tidal mills largely vanished once we had cheap steam engines.

The picture above is of the Marine Current Turbine's (MCT) machines being lowered into the sea off Lynmouth in Devon (near England). The 36 foot (11metre) blade turbine apparently produces 300 kilo watts and was the first off-shore tidal marine turbine to produce electricity in Europe.

Why don't we have more tidal power is the question I ask...???