Jeannette Lee wrote an article for the Associated Press entitled, "Young tidal energy companies stake claims on the coast." The story discusses how a number of companies are seeking ways to utilize ocean tides to produce energy. Tidal power apparently works a lot like wind power, in that turbines are used to generate power. However, tidal power turbines are described as "little wind turbines on steroids." The article goes on to say that "[w]ater's greater density means fewer and smaller turbines are needed to produce the same amount of electricity as wind turbines." Testing is in the works, but while permits for studying tidal sites are increasing, there has not yet been any applications for tidal development licenses.

According to the article, the project that has progressed the most is in New York City. Verdant Power is planning to "install two underwater turbines this month as part of a small pilot project" for power to be used in a supermarket and parking garage. This company may eventually be able to create enough tidal energy to power 8,000 homes. Concerns are that fish will be killed in the turbines and that it will be difficult to turn a profit with this form of energy. Apparently, tidal energy does best when positioned near a power grid and lots of fast moving water, while not being in the way of boats.

I had never read about tidal energy, although I guess it's really another form of hydroelectric power. Yet, instead of involving a dam or water wheel, it involves turbines that are used deep in the water. One question I had was how deep these turbines can be placed in a body of water--e.g, can they be positioned at the bottom of a deep ocean? If so, how are they secured to the floor of the body of water? Obviously, as with wind power and the bird/bat casualties, design changes may need to be made to underwater turbines to minimize the damage to marine life. If this tidal energy idea catches on, those improvements will likely follow. Perhaps this form of energy will never be the lead player in the alternative energy market, but we should welcome this new concept to the mix. In addition, for places like Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, etc., that are bordered by a lot of fast-moving water, tidal energy could materialize into a much bigger energy source than it might in New York City.

A strange thought came to my mind as I read this article mentioning "the rising and ebbing sea." Could global warming be leading to more tidal energy by raising ocean levels? If the water temperatures increase, will that work for or against tidal energy? Climate change is definitely a bad thing, but perhaps our climate is giving us a cue or a warning sign that we should try to use our water itself for energy, instead of continuing to burn fossil fuels at the rate we are today. Before the oceans consume much of our coastline due to global warming, perhaps we should see the tides as our friend rather than foe and work with it rather than against it.