The imagination of scientists throughout time must have toyed with the idea of using the rising and falling of the tides to generate power that could be harnessed. Many attempts include Peter Ullman’s plan in 2003 to build a hydroelectric plant off the coast of Wales in a lagoon rather than on the coast. Tidal barrages were already functioning in France but ecologists and sea-craft objections made the technique controversial.

Subsequently the intervening years have produced an explosion in interest and activity in U.S., Britain and Europe in this particular area of renewable energy. It is only a matter of time before the most efficient systems will be introduced on a regular basis everywhere because of the nature of the ‘clean’ energy produced. It would seem one of the most efficient energy systems without some of the problems encountered in others.

Claimed as the world’s first commercial-scale tidal stream turbine it was installed in Northern Ireland and believed to produce clean energy, is noiseless, runs beneath the surface and has zero emissions.

Australia, as an island continent, has singular advantages needing to be capitalized. These are already being exploited, particularly in northern areas such as Broome that has huge tides to the extent of about thirty feet. Many applicants are in line for licences in Australia and in the US.

Tags: algae biofuel, alternative energy source, develop algae production, efficient power source, tidal power resource

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