Renewable: Wave & Tidal
Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 10.4.6
Wave and Tidal Energy
Wave and tidal energy can be used to generate electricity.
Advantages of wave
- Wave energy involves using waves to turn turbines on the way in and out.
- Advantages
- Once set up, no further cost is needed.
- No carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.
Wave disadvantages
- The turbines need to be located in coastal areas.
- They are expensive to construct and some people think they ruin the look of the coastline.
- They need locations that are not stormy because this can damage them.
- Current technology is not very efficient.
- The turbines are not very good for animal life and sea life in coastal areas.
Advantages of tidal
- Tidal energy involves using the tide to turn turbines.
- Advantages:
- Once set up, they are very cheap to run.
- No carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.
Disadvantages of tidal
- This needs a location with a tidal range of a reasonable size.
- The turbines are expensive to set up.
- Only a small amount of energy can be produced at present.
- The turbines damage marine life.
- The turbines are easily damaged by storms.
Test yourself on Renewable: Wave & Tidal
Which of the following statements are disadvantages of tidal power?