Tidal, Wave and Solar energy plants

The water in the world’s seas is generally continually in motion, with few exceptions; waves break along the coast, sometimes stronger, sometimes softer. There is huge potential that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and at no cost.

 Solar power plants use the sun’s thermal energy, which is copious, affordable, intermittent, and inexpensive. Photovoltaic panels are used to convert this heat energy into electrical energy. One form of the solar power plant is this.

 Wave energy is one of the most powerful renewable energy resources. The wind converts its energy to these waves as it blows on the shoreline. Wave power is the amount of energy carried by these waves.

Tidal energy Plant:

The power generated by waves and tides is known as tidal energy. It’s a type of hydroelectric energy. Tidal energy producers such as buoys, turbines, and other devices gather tidal wave energy and transform it into clean, pollution-free power.

Advantages:

• Tidal energy has a number of advantages, one of which is that it is renewable. The fact that oceanic tides and waves are employed to produce tidal wave power is self-evident.
• The effects of the earth’s rotation on its axis, along with the gravitational forces of the sun and moon, cause marine tides and waves.
• Tidal power is one of the most environmentally benign types of electricity since, unlike nuclear or fossil energy, it does not produce any hazardous gasses like carbon, residues, or other greenhouse gasses into the environment.

Disadvantages:

• Setting up and operating a tidal wave power plant has a significant initial cost. It makes tidal wave power very expensive at the moment, however, this is likely to decrease dramatically over time.
• Near-shore tidal wave power plants may produce difficulties with tourists as well as local community acceptability.
• Because huge gear disrupts the seafloor and may drive certain species to alter their homes, it has an impact on the natural order of marine living organisms.
• The most significant barrier to obtaining energy from tidal wave power generating facilities is location, as this type of power is only available to communities located near seas.

Wave energy plant:

The force of a wave propels underwater turbines tied to a buoy. The turbines then spin and create energy as a result of the water’s force. Wave energy generates power by harnessing the natural forces of water in the ocean. Waves have enormous force.

Advantages:

• Wave energy, unlike fossil fuels, does not release greenhouse gases when it is generated. Turbines use the strength of waves to create electricity, making them a fully pollution-free and renewable energy source.
• Wind transports heat energy from one section of the earth to another, resulting in the formation of waves. Because wind will always exist, waves will always be available to create power at the water’s surface, making this a renewable energy source.
• The quantity of kinetic energy exerted by a wave is enormous; this energy is absorbed by wave energy converters and used to generate electricity.

Disadvantages:

• Plants or electricity lines built directly on the beach might be difficult to install since they are undesirable and can harm marine life and the ecology.
• Wave power is a new energy technology that is still in its early phases of research, making cost estimates problematic.
• Local fishing zones may be harmed, and the plants may contribute to increased coastal corrosion. More study is needed, however, to identify the real environmental effects that wave energy plants may have.

Solar power plant:

Simply put, a solar thermal power system harvests solar energy by concentrating sunlight to generate enough heat (thermal power) to generate electricity. Solar thermal power plants, unlike PV systems, employ mirrors as reflectors to focus sunlight onto the receiver.

Thermal energy is used to heat a thermodynamic fluid (water) to make steam, which is then utilized to power a thermodynamic machine (a steam turbine).

Advantages:

• Solar power plants use solar radiation, which is a renewable energy source. 
• The heat radiated from the sun is stored in insulated molten salt tanks, which may be utilized to boil water at any time to create power, even when there is no sunshine.
• In terms of space management, solar power plants are more efficient. Parabolic reflectors, unlike PV systems, are set to monitor the sun’s movement. As a result, it may be deployed anywhere and yet provide enough power for domestic usage.

Disadvantages:

• Solar thermal technology has the benefit of being reasonably easy and adaptable in terms of installation, but it is more expensive in terms of the original investment.
• For effective functioning and wide-scale energy generation, it requires a vast amount of water. However, operating such solar thermal power plants in arid places where water is already scarce will be difficult.
• Solar thermal power plants require greater installation sites in order to receive the greatest amount of radiation needed to operate at full capacity.

Conclusion:

Tidal energy is a clean, green, sustainable, and efficient way for populations living near tidal bodies of water to generate electricity. However, it is not a feasible energy source for other populations. Wave energy has a lot of potential in terms of energy generation, but it has a lot of disadvantages when compared to other renewable energy sources like wind and solar because of prices and the risk of being damaged by an ocean wave. The floating solar power plant is becoming increasingly important as solar photovoltaic systems improve. The floating system has the advantage of reducing evaporation, which helps to keep water levels stable throughout the hot summer months.