Tidal Energy was a sector that received little attention from developers and policy planners alike due to the perception that the technology has still a long way to go. However, Gujarat has decided to install a project to figure out its potential for meeting state’s growing energy demands. What is tidal power? Tidal power, also called tidal energy, is a form of power generated in oceans and seas by converting the energy of tides into electricity. Although not yet widely used, tidal power has potential for future electricity generation with tides being more predictable than wind energy and solar power. Tidal current power uses turbines to harness the energy contained in the flow of ocean tides. It is unique as the power output, like tidal movements, is highly predictable and sustainable with zero visual impact and the turbines are completely submerged. Tidal power is like putting a wind turbine subsea and the turbine rotors rotate slowly, causing very little environmental impact to marine flora and fauna. Tidal power, a part of wind energy, has yet to become a popular source of energy, due to the high costs involved in setting up plants, and the limited availability of sites with high tidal ranges. Even with its potential for providing predictable and sustainable electricity generation with no visual impact, tidal power still accounts for only a fraction of a per cent of the world’s total electricity generation. According to estimates, world’s 15 per cent of the power needs could be met through tidal energy sources. That is slowly changing though, with numerous tidal power plants being constructed or planned for coastlines around the world. Worldwide, the generation of tidal power is very miniscule when pitted against other renewable sources of energy, but experts feel there could definitely be a change with the rising focus on clean energy sources. The biggest tidal power station in the world is located at La Rance, Brittany, France, where 240 MW is generated, sufficient to meet 90 per cent of Brittany’s electricity demands. State’s plans The state government of Gujarat has begun preparing a tidal power generation policy on the lines of its solar and wind power generation policies. The state government has decided to allocate Rs 25 crore in special grant in the upcoming budget for conducting special surveys and studies to identify potential sites where tidal power generation plants can be set up. Initially, Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) and the state-run Gujarat Power Corporation Ltd (GPCL) will conduct this exercise. On the basis of their report, the state government will form a policy to streamline the development of the tidal power sector in the state. Atlantis Resources Corporation, UK-based marine energy developer group, had earlier conducted a study to ascertain the feasibility of the project which revealed that the country had excellent potential to achieve good levels of productivity in terms of tidal power. The Indian government has categorised Gujarat as the best state for solar, wind and renewable power generation and is fast turning into the hotspot for India’s renewable energy sector. The state is blessed with significant resources of almost all kinds of renewable energy forms, and it plans to establish tidal, wind and solar power plants to produce more than 7,000 MW of power and significantly raise the share of renewable energy sources. The proposed tidal power policy and the setting up of India’s first tidal power plant in the Gulf of Kutch is likely to push Gujarat at the forefront of the fight against climate change through the adoption of cutting-edge renewable generation technologies. It has the potential to create a new local industry based around tidal power in the state and could establish Gujarat as a global leader in marine power renewable energy creating hundreds of local jobs.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 18:42:23 +0000
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