West Coast Publishing Ocean 2014 affirmative page

Tidal Energy Good

Tidal power can displace fossil fuels

Tidal energy displaces fossil fuels pollution and avoids radiation risks of nuclear power

The Ocean Energy Council, 2014, “Tidal Energy,” http://www.oceanenergycouncil.com/ocean-energy/tidal-energy/, Accessed 5/3/2014

Tidal energy is a renewable source of electricity which does not result in the emission of gases responsible for global warming or acid rain associated with fossil fuel generated electricity. Use of tidal energy could also decrease the need for nuclear power, with its associated radiation risks. Changing tidal flows by damming a bay or estuary could, however, result in negative impacts on aquatic and shoreline ecosystems, as well as navigation and recreation. The few studies that have been undertaken to date to identify the environmental impacts of a tidal power scheme have determined that each specific site is different and the impacts depend greatly upon local geography. Local tides changed only slightly due to the La Rance barrage, and the environmental impact has been negligible, but this may not be the case for all other sites. It has been estimated that in the Bay of Fundy, tidal power plants could decrease local tides by 15 cm. This does not seem like much when one considers that natural variations such as winds can change the level of the tides by several metres.

Tidal power can become a productive part of an energy mix that displaces fossil fuels and reduces emissions

The Ocean Energy Council, 2014, “Tidal Energy,” http://www.oceanenergycouncil.com/ocean-energy/tidal-energy/, Accessed 5/3/2014

The demand for electricity on an electrical grid varies with the time of day. The supply of electricity from a tidal power plant will never match the demand on a system. But, due to the lunar cycle and gravity, tidal currents, although variable, are reliable and predictable and their power can make a valuable contribution to an electrical system which has a variety of sources. Tidal electricity can be used to displace electricity which would otherwise be generated by fossil fuel (coal, oil, natural gas) fired power plants, thus reducing emissions of greenhouse and acid gasses.

Wave Energy Good

Wave Energy – Clean and Effective

Coastal proximity and electricity consumption mean wave power could supply up to 78% of U.S. electricity needs

(RME) Resolute Marine Energy, Inc., wave energy conversion research firm, 2014, “Wave Energy,” http://www.resolutemarine.com/ about/wave-energy, Accessed 5/3/2014

Wave energy has several advantages over other renewable energy resources with the first being that it is in close proximity to electricity demand centers. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the 28 U.S. coastal states consume 78 percent of the nation's electricity, but only six can meet even one-fifth of their power demand with land-based renewable energy technologies. According to the Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) division of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), approximately 40% of the world’s population lives within100 kilometers of the coast and population density is expected to increase markedly over the next several decades in response to climate change effects. Waves have an energy density over 800x higher than wind which means that more energy can be extracted from a given area which translates into an offshore and onshore footprint that doesn’t require the sacrifice of large tracts of valuable coastal real estate. Wave energy has additional benefits related to its predictability (accurate localized estimates of wave conditions can be made up to 72 hours in advance), consistency (24/7 availability and less dramatic short-term variations in energy flux) and low visual impact (RME’s wave energy converters have a minimal surface presence).

Wave energy is predictable, adds sustainable energy, and enhances energy security

Aquamarine Power, a wave energy technology firm, 2011, “Technology:  Why wave power?,” Accessed 5/3/2014, http://www.aquamarinepower.com/technology/why-wave-power/

Ocean waves are generated by wind passing over the surface of the sea - a process which often begins many hundreds or thousands of miles from shore.  Because waves originate a long way from shore, computer models of wave propagation allow us to accurately forecast incoming waves up to five days in advance. In comparison with wind energy, it's easier to accurately predict how much energy can be generated by waves, and when. In addition, the peaks and troughs of wind and wave energy do not always coincide.  This means there are times when there is abundant wave energy and little wind. This diversity helps even out the fluctuating nature of some renewable energy sources.  When combined with other renewable energy, such as hydro power, it helps provide a more predictable and steady renewable energy mix. A diverse renewable energy portfolio means a more stable energy system, reduced variability and lower cost. In addition, a strong renewable energy mix means we become less reliant on traditional power sources such as oil and gas.  This gives us greater energy security.

Wave energy technology is proven and reduces energy costs

Ocean Energy Council, 2014, “Wave Energy,” http://www.oceanenergycouncil.com/ocean-energy/wave-energy/, Accessed 4/9/2014

Even though wave energy is at the very beginning of the manufacturing learning curve, capital costs per net kw are already down in the range of wind energy devices, and below solar. In areas of higher power costs, such as diesel-based communities not connected to the grid, investment returns from wave energy projects are potentially very attractive. In 1909, ocean wave power was used to light lamps on the Huntington Beach Wharf until a storm carried the apparatus out to sea. Long-term reliability of the OWC technology has now been demonstrated, with one device in India still going strong after 10 years of continuous operation.”

Wave Energy – Clean and Effective

CETO converts wave energy to zero-emission electricity

Kris Walker, Staff Writer, October 7, 2013, “Converting Wave Energy into zero-emission electricity and desalinated water,”

AzoCleantech, http://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=441, Accessed 5/3/2014

Harnessing the vast amounts of renewable energy from the depths of the ocean has taken a giant leap forward with this revolutionary technology from Carnegie Energy. The main benefits of wave energy come from the reliability and predictability of wave activity as well as 60% of the world population living within 60 kilometers off a coast making the proximity of wave energy sites applicable to its end users. Based in Australia, Carnegie Energy has produced the first wave power converter that is fully submerged producing high-pressure water using wave power. The CETO utilizes standard reverse osmosis desalination technology to produce zero-emission freshwater and zero-emission electricity.

Wave energy is a clean source of electrical power

Aquamarine Power, a wave energy technology firm, 2011, “Technology:  Why wave power?,” Accessed 5/3/2014, http://www.aquamarinepower.com/technology/why-wave-power/

Wave energy is, by its nature, a clean energy resource.  Aside from the energy expended in manufacture and installation of wave energy devices, it produces no carbon emissions.  Our industry is still very new but studies undertaken to date show the process of capturing wave energy has minimal environmental impact. Our Oyster device, for example, is a simple, slow-moving buoyant flap.  This flap moves backwards and forwards in the waves and pumps water ashore. There is no electricity production or fast moving equipment at sea. And as Oyster uses freshwater as its hydraulic fluid it means there are no hydrocarbons in its system.  The device sits largely underwater so there is minimal visual impact.

Wave power has huge potential to displace fossil fuels and will soon be economically feasible

Global Site Plans, an environmental marketing firm, May 14, 2013, “Tidal Wave Energy: Is it Ecologically Sustainable?,” http://www.globalsiteplans.com/environmental-design/tidal-wave-energy-is-it-ecologically-sustainable/, Accessed 5/3/2014

Global energy demand continues to grow and tidal wave energy generation devices can provide a significant source of renewable energy. Technological developments in offshore engineering, and the rising cost of traditional energy, means that offshore energy resources will be economic in the next few years. Tidal wave energy is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides into useful forms of power – mainly electricity. Although not yet widely used, tidal power has potential for future electricity generation. Tides are more predictable than wind energy and solar power, as there can be bigger variances in the amount and levels of sunlight and wind.