Geography · Ch 13 — Mineral and Energy Resources
Tidal and Wave Energy
Tidal and Wave Energy
The energy held in ocean currents and tides is practically limitless. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite, the movement of seawater is driven by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun (tides) and by wind (waves), making it a renewable resource. The textbook points out that efforts to harness this energy have been ongoing since the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, as people sought a more efficient energy system from the ceaseless motion of the sea.
India’s geography gives it a distinct advantage for tidal energy. Large tidal waves are known to occur along the west coast of India. This means the country has great potential for developing tidal energy along its coasts. However, the textbook is clear on the current status: so far, these resources have not yet been utilised. The potential exists, but the technology and infrastructure to capture it on a meaningful scale are still absent in India.
The textbook groups tidal and wave energy together as one category. Both rely on the movement of ocean water, but they are driven by different forces — tides by gravitational pull, and waves by wind. India’s west coast is specifically mentioned as the region with large tidal waves.
Key points to remember:
- Ocean currents are described as a "store-house of infinite energy." …