Florida should turn to tidal energy as part of transition to clean power

As Europe is modernizing its energy grid with various forms of renewable energy, the United States can do the same to fight against climate change. The state of Florida has the opportunity to pioneer this transition and jumpstart the United States’ movement toward renewable energy usage.

In a hypothetical future situation where Florida would be a 100% renewable energy state, most of this energy would come from photovoltaic solar panels, of course, but this alone would not satisfy demand for all Floridians. The sun does not always shine, and batteries only have a finite amount of power storage that might not be sufficient to power the whole state, especially in an emergency situation.

So, what can we do to be prepared for such situations? One sector worth looking into that would help bridge the gap and ensure 100% clean energy is tidal current energy.

Tidal current energy can be taken advantage of practically all the time, as currents never stop flowing. Couple that with the fact that Florida is surrounded on three sides by water, and the state can have itself a nonstop source of energy used by multiple coastal cities as well as those further inland potentially. Unlike solar energy, which is contingent on the presence of the sun, tidal energy can be generated 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Given that tidal currents are caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon, it is possible to accurately predict where tidal energy can be generated most efficiently. Thus, choosing optimal locations for the generators is quite simple, with returns on the initial investment continuing for years to come after the installation.   

While the intensity of tidal currents varies, they are for the most part continuous, meaning a steady energy supply that ebbs and flows with the current intensity. The result is therefore the same as what would happen with wind and solar, except without longer pauses in energy generation due to time of day or lack of wind, for instance.

While some time periods may yield more energy output than others, the generation of energy does not cease overall. As a result, tidal current energy is a reliable backup source for grid power in case it may be needed.

Tidal current technology employs two main methods to capture the ocean’s energy. Either of the two methods can be used in Florida depending on the location, to best maximize the potential power gains based on the power demand of the area.

The first method is the installation of underwater turbines that turn due to the force of underwater currents, much as the wind turbines located above the ground do whenever the wind is blowing. Unlike wind turbines, however, tidal turbines do not have to be as large or spin as fast to generate a decent amount of electricity.

Water is over 800 times denser than air. Therefore, a slow underwater current can produce just as much electricity as the equivalent of a higher wind speed above the ground. In addition, smaller turbines mean they can be concentrated together as arrays in waters that may not be so deep (30 to 40 meters), thus increasing the potential for more power generation.

The second method works more like a dam, relying on the movement of water from a higher level to a lower level due to changes in the tides themselves. This movement causes a force that turns a generator, thus producing electricity.

Because changes in water level are more prevalent closer to shore, this method is ideal for shallower waters. Whether these generators are affixed to the shore or located further from land, one thing is for sure: This method of power generation can work practically in any place where the tides are prevalent and occur regularly.

Scotland has already begun witnessing the successes of tidal energy via an array of underwater turbines off the coast of the Shetland Islands. It has been so effective thus far that the company responsible for installing the array, Nova Innovation, is almost finished with installing a sixth turbine, up from three as of 2016.

This array will have a maximum power generating capacity of 600 KW, providing continuous power to the immediate community. Nova Innovation’s collaboration with Tesla to incorporate electricity storage technology into the turbines also means that power can be distributed to the community as it is needed on a case-by-case basis.

With the success of this technology showing massive potential in Europe, the prospect of adopting technology like this in the state of Florida is quite exciting. Even better, Floridians may have the opportunity to take a project like this into their own hands.   

A practice that is growing in popularity in Europe is that of energy cooperatives. In essence, members of the community pool money and resources to invest, either fully or partially, in renewable energy infrastructure.   

There are thousands of cooperatives in Europe like these, a notable one located in Freiamt, Germany. This small town of about 4,000 inhabitants produces a surplus of electricity from wind farms that the citizens invested in. While tidal turbines will not produce enough electricity for a surplus like in Freiamt, the cooperative structure allows the people to dictate how much technology like this they should invest in and how the energy would be utilized.   

Adopting the European practices of diversifying renewable energy grids and giving everyday people a say in how they can reap the benefits of said grids will help put the United States on a path to energy independence and a clean, carbon neutral future. With the looming threat of climate change, we can no longer afford to keep waiting.

Florida is in an advantageous position to invest in arguably its most precious resource to attain energy independence and protect the Earth for generations to come.

Stephen Badea is an undergraduate majoring in political science/linguistics at the University of Florida.

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This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Stephen Badea: Tidal energy has untapped potential for Florida