Last week I ran a very unscientific energy survey to get your opinion on which alternative energy you were most excited about.

Thank you to everyone that made a selection and left comments, here are the results:

The solar and wind energy responses were as expected. Many people are excited about solar and wind because they get a lot of press and the advances in those two technologies have been dramatic. I didn’t think that tidal energy would have fallen in third place. It was interesting that the closer someone lived to a large river or the ocean were more likely to chose tidal energy for their selection.

There are quite a few advantages to tidal energy, but the applications thus far haven’t been nearly as publicized as biofuels and geothermal energy.

I just completely forgot to include nuclear energy in the options. I will be sure to include it next year when I run this poll again to see how opinions have changed and the reasons behind it.

As the energy revolution continues and we look for a more comprehensive energy plan, I am absolutely positive that all of these alternative energies will have their own role in our alternative energy options.

A lot of people attack the sea, I make love to it.
-Jacques Yves Cousteau

Tidal energy is more predictable than solar energy and wind energy because we already know that cycles of high and low tides are twice a day. We all just might begin to love the sea as it helps in producing alternative energy.

A tidal energy generator is installed to capture the energy of the tide coming in and the tide going using turbines. These large underwater turbines use the force of millions of gallons of water coming in and out to produce electricity.

Advantages of tidal power

*Abundant, clean, and safe
*Tides are very reliable

Although the energy supply is reliable and plentiful, converting it into useful electrical power is not easy.

Disadvantages of tidal power

*Not commercially viable at present
*Shipping could be disrupt
*Turbines may be hazardous to marine life

Even with these disadvantages, tidal energy is becoming more popular. As the technology of the turbines increase and they become more efficient, areas previously deemed to have too slow of a current are becoming viable spots to place tidal energy generators.

I haven’t seen a plan that incorporates tidal energy into the overall energy solution, but as we move forward to a more comprehensive strategy of incorporating all types of alternative energies, I am absolutely positive that tidal power will be included.

How Tidel Power Works

Thank you to everyone that gave their opinion, here are the results.

And let me know why in the comments below.