Tidal power is now a legit source of renewable energy | Grist
Tidal power, produced from the force of our planet’s oceans sloshing to and fro, has always seemed like a neat idea. But the challenges of making it work – imagine giant underwater propellers having to withstand strong currents and the unending assault of the sea – made it seem less than realistic.
But now manufacturing giant Siemens is throwing its weight behind tidal power startup Marine Current Turbines, which has had a 1.2 megawatt demonstration turbine operating beneath the waves of Northern Ireland’s Strangford Lough since 2008.
Siemens’ interest is simple: Tidal power is super predictable. (Predictable as the tides, even.)