Someone (Silesh) had mentioned Tidal Power in class. We aren't really concerned with the technology, but we're more concerned about the economics of generation. Wikipedia has this to say about the economics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_power#Economics
From the article:
"Tidal power schemes have a high capital cost and a very low running cost. As a result, a tidal power scheme may not produce returns for years, and investors are thus reluctant to participate in such projects."
As it is, our SEBs are running under huge losses and power sector in India is not in a very good financial position. To spend a large amount of money on establishing Tidal power schemes is hardly feasible. Also, the largest Tidal Power Plant has an installed peak power of 240 MW with an annual production of 600 GWh which is hardly a lot. To set up many such plants for our requirement of power would involve a huge amount of money.
Unless we come up with new technology, tidal power is not feasible, and we are better off looking at conventional methods of power generation.
6 comments:
The limitation of our technology is being an evil in the infrastructure developmentof the country,specifically power as mentioned in the article and its one of the main reasons why the indo-us nuclear agreement is still on papers but not in practice.we need some heavy cell reactors for this purpose which we dont have and the US is reluctant to provide these to India due to their constitutional and defence policy limitations.And yes the need for the development of new technology is palpable.
Sources say that over 15,000 MW of tidal power potential has been estimated in the country at Gulf of Kachh & Gulf of Cambay in Gujarat and Durgaduani creek in Sunderbans in West Bengal. No tidal energy project has been installed in the country so far.
Globally the major tidal power projects currently in operation are in France (240 MW), Canada (20 MW) and Russia (0.4 MW).
India does have a plan of setting up such a plant in Sunderbans. But it is being opposed very fiercely because it will feed only 15000 homes and will destroy the largest natural habitat of Tigers.
I think thermal or hydel power plants can only makeup for astronomically growing needs in current situation. mere 240MW can't even cater to needs of single state. Instead of pioneering a plant in tidal i feel it would be better to strengthen ourselves in thermal and hydel. this is only a tactic not a strategy.
@Prannoy
You make Tidal power sound like the only alternative way to produce energy. :)
Even if Tidal power is not feasible, we should not conclude (like you have done) that we are better off looking at conventional methods of power generation.
Nicely written article anyways.
@Ajay
Technology is a very minor hindrance. The bigger problem is execution and foresight.
Amrit: The article was about Tidal Power, and not about other ways of energy and so I focussed on that. What I said was that considering the present situation, conventional methods of power generation are certainly better off than Tidal Power.
@amrit:
well i agree with you amrit, i just meant that india hasnt reached the zeniths in technology .yes, execution got its pivotal role here
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