Wave Power essays

Wave Power essays Visual Impact - Depending on where the conversion facility is placed the visual impact can range from high impact close to the shoreline to a much smaller impact when the facility is placed further from the shoreline. Hydrodynamics - effects on wave climates due to conversion facilities may lead to changes in the shore and shallow sub-tidal areas, and subsequently the plants and animals living in the area. Navigation - the facilities may present navigation hazards to shipping Noise - there is likely to be a noise impact from conversion facilities. This will be more significant for shoreline devices than those situated offshore. Installation Construction - construction of wave energy conversion facilities could lead to the loss of species on the seabed. However, this is not likely to be a long-term impact. Whilst tidal power generation can offer some advantages, including improved transportation due to the development of traffic or rail bridges across estuaries and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by utilising non polluting tidal power in place of fossil fuels, there are also some significant environmental disadvantages which make tidal power less attractive. The construction of a tidal barrage in an estuary will change the tidal level in the basin. This change is difficult to predict, and can result in a lowering or raising of the tidal level. This change will also have a marked effect on the sedimentation and turbidity of the water within the basin. In addition, navigation and recreation can be affected as a result of a sea depth change due to increased sedimentation within the basin. A raising of the tidal level could result in the flooding of the shoreline, which could have an effect on the local marine food chain. The construction of a tidal barrage in an estuary will change the tidal level in the basin. This change is difficult to predict, and can result in a lo ...