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Introduction
Energy use created from the movement of tides is an interesting and promising renewable energy source that has attracted attention from industry experts in recent years. Atlantic Canada is home to the highest tides globally; therefore, tidal power exploration in the region should be considered a viable method of harnessing tidal energy to generate electricity. The development can minimize the impact of non-renewable energy sources on the environment (Al-Douri 5). The paper will be divided into four main parts, including technology definition, personal stance on the issue, impacts on society, and effects on professional and own life. Although tidal power may face several hindrances, harnessing the technology may benefit Atlantic Canadians if potential risks are minimized.
Technology Description
Tidal power is also called tidal energy and is defined as a renewable energy source that utilizes the power of tides in the ocean to generate electricity. The energy created originates from the kinetic energy present in the moving water as tides move. Tidal power is predictable because it is generated consistently based on the regular pattern of tidal waves. Tidal power systems are categorized into two: tidal barrage systems and tidal stream systems. On the one hand, tidal barrage systems utilize dam-like structures that help in the formation of a tidal lagoon. The level of water on one lagoon side is lowered and raised as the tide comes out and in, driving turbines that generate electricity (Khan 22). On the other hand, tidal stream systems are powered by underwater turbines that capture the moving water’s kinetic energy produced by the tide (Hong and Oh 82). When the conversion of kinetic energy into electricity is complete, tidal power is generated.
Personal Stance on the Topic
Based on existing scholarship, I conclude that tidal energy is a promising technology that can be a valuable renewable energy source. It is a sustainable and clean power source that hardly produces harmful greenhouse gas and other pollutants. In addition, tidal power can potentially provide vital economic benefits to Atlantic Canadians by generating jobs in the maintenance, operation, and construction of projects. Furthermore, tides are predictable as a reliable energy source, making it convenient to guarantee energy security (Chowdhury et al. 8182). However, maintaining and building tidal power projects is capital-intensive. Additionally, the potential adverse impact on wildlife and marine ecosystems are factors that need to be considered before adopting the technology in today’s society (Zaidi et al. 2). Overall, whereas there are hazards linked to tidal energy, the technology’s potential benefits make it a viable and compelling option for electricity generation.
Technology Impact: Risks, Restrictions, and Challenges
Social and Historical Context
From a social and historical view, the development of tidal energy as a technology is part of the large story of how humans interact with oceans. Throughout history, the human race has sought to harvest ocean power for different purposes such as transportation, energy production, and fishing. Tidal power is the current iteration of the relationship between humans and oceans, and it is essential to comprehend the connection’s social and historical contexts to fully understand tidal power’s impacts (Dadswell and Rulifson 42). Thus, it is necessary to explore the technology’s impact on society in terms of gender, capitalism, race, and social class.
Gender
The effect of tidal power on Atlantic Canadians from a gender perspective is multifaceted and complex. On the one hand, building and maintaining tidal power projects can create jobs for women and men in the construction, operation, and maintenance of tidal power plants (Zaidi et al. 5). On the other hand, women in coastal communities are more likely to have traditional gender responsibilities, which causes a disproportionate impact as they lose their livelihoods and face changes in resource access. Additionally, women working in the industry may receive low benefits and wages than male workers, impacting their professional development since maintenance and construction jobs are traditionally considered men’s (Lieu 10). Furthermore, women have limited access to job opportunities in the tidal power sector due to underrepresentation in tidal power firms and barriers such as restricted access to training and education programs.
Race
The impact of tidal power projects in the Atlantic provinces is complex due to the number of communities involved. Atlantic Canada’s racial makeup is diverse, indicating a mix of English, Indigenous peoples, Irish, French, and Scottish heritage (Statistics Canada). Therefore, the effect of tidal energy on diverse racial groups can vary. Indigenous peoples in Atlantic Canada may be disproportionately impacted by tidal energy projects. For instance, if tidal power projects are built near or on Indigenous lands, it could disrupt their livelihoods, amplifying their poverty levels. Often, traditional activities affected may include gathering, fishing, and hunting, which may adversely impact their cultural heritage. While Indigenous peoples may benefit economically by working on tidal power projects, they are vulnerable to displacement due to the location of their communities and homes (Dadswell and Rulifson 78). For other racial groups, the specific tidal power impacts differ depending on the project location and socio-economic status and considering the input of different racial groups (Li 6). For instance, if Irish Atlantic Canadians are displaced, their ability to relocate to other destinations depends on whether they have sufficient money.
Social Class
Social class is an important part of assessing the impacts of tidal power projects on Atlantic Canadians. Low-income communities can be disproportionately impacted by tidal power. For instance, a tidal power project built in underprivileged communities can adversely affect their livelihoods, negatively impacting their economic situation. Due to high poverty levels, low-income communities are prone to widespread displacement from their households due to ongoing tidal power projects. While low-income people may get jobs to build and maintain tidal power plants, high social class communities face different sets of challenges (Chowdhury et al. 8180). For instance, when a tidal power project is built in high social class communities, the home displacement is less due to access to decision-making and resources to mitigate adverse impacts.
Capitalism
The effect of tidal power projects on Atlantic Canadians from a capitalist lens is multifaceted. Under capitalist systems, private sector firms would be involved in projects’ operation, maintenance, and construction, leading to job creation and economic growth among coastal communities (Khan 32). Private sector reliance and pursuing profit can negatively impact Atlantic Canadians as private firms can prioritize financial gain and ignore the environment’s and local communities’ well-being. Thus, since the local communities’ perspectives and needs are ignored, they may be displaced or environmental degradation may occur. Additionally, maintaining and building tidal power projects require huge capital which may limit local and small businesses from participation and favor large firms with more financial power and resources (Zaidi et al. 4). As a result, control of the projects is concentrated on a few companies, limiting the economic benefits gained by local communities.
Tidal Barrage and Underwater Turbine Technologies
Both underwater and tidal barrage technologies have faced enormous technical challenges in implementation and development. For example, The Annapolis Tidal Barrage, proposed for the Bay of Fundy during the 1970s, was hampered by multiple challenges. They include concerns about the effect on fish migration, difficulties securing support and funding, and high construction costs (Bhuiyan et al. 15; Chowdhury et al. 8192). Ultimately, the project remained uncompleted, making its operation impossible. Similarly, attempts to build underwater turbines in Nova Scotia’s Minas Basin were unsuccessful due to the same challenges. Additionally, saltwater’s corrosive effects meant that materials initially planned for project use would degrade more quickly, leading to reduced lifespan. Furthermore, underwater turbines lacked reliability due to breakdowns and failures (Dadswell and Rulifson 89). Thus, there has not been much tidal power experimentation in New Brunswick due to a lack of funding and competition from other energy sources that are more economically viable (Ornes 31). Despite the challenges, the current state may change as the required technologies mature.
Personal and Professional Impact of the Technology
I plan to work in the technology field later in my life due to my passion for the sector. Tidal power technology may have several impacts on my professional and personal life. Professionally, the implementation and development of tidal energy can make searching for a fulfilling job easier since there will be increased demand for technology-related roles such as technicians, scientists, and engineers (Al-Douri 300). Personally, tidal power technology will grant me the opportunity to contribute to developing clean and sustainable energy sources. Overall, working in the technology field aligns with my interests, making my life satisfying.
Conclusion
In conclusion, despite the challenges linked to harnessing tidal power, Atlantic Canadians can benefit from the project if the risks are addressed. Tidal power involves harnessing the energy from the tidal waves, and the potential impacts on society should be considered in the process. Tidal power can be effective but before investing in its production, it is critical to analyze the impacts associated with the technology. Overall, research on tidal power technologies should focus on improvement and solving the drawbacks of renewable energy sources.
Works Cited
Al-Douri, Yarub, editor. Renewable Energy: Analysis, Resources, Applications, Management, and Policy. AIP Publishing, 2022.
Bhuiyan, Miraj, et al. “Economic Feasibility of Marine Renewable Energy: Review.” Frontiers in Marine Science, vol. 9, 2022, pp. 1-18.
Chowdhury, M. S., et al. “Current Trends and Prospects of Tidal Energy Technology.” Environment, Development and Sustainability, vol. 23, no. 6, 2021, pp. 8179-8194.
Dadswell, Michael J., and Roger A. Rulifson. “A Review of the Fishes and Fisheries of Minas Basin and Minas Passage, Nova Scotia, And Their Potential Risk from Tidal Power Development.” Proceedings of the Nova Scotian Institute of Science, 2021, pp. 39-125.
Hong, Jeong-Jo, and Young-sun Oh. “Analysis of Operating Characteristics in Tidal Power Generation According to Tide Level.” International Journal of Contents, vol. 18, no. 1, 2022, pp. 76-84.
Khan, Muhammed Zafar Ali, et al. “Harvesting Energy from Ocean: Technologies and Perspectives.” Energies, vol. 15, no. 9, 2022, pp. 1-43.
Li, Mengyao. Assessment and Mitigation of Environmental Impacts from the Bay of Fundy Tidal Energy Development, Atlantic Canada. 2021. The University of British Columbia, PhD dissertation.
Lieu, Jenny, et al. “Three Sides to Every Story: Gender Perspectives in Energy Transition Pathways in Canada, Kenya and Spain.” Energy Research & Social Science, vol. 68, 2020, pp. 1-13.
Ornes, Stephen. “Turning Water into Watts.” Physics World, vol. 33, no. 3, 2020, p. 31.
Statistics Canada. Most Common Ethnic or Cultural Origins Reported in the Atlantic Provinces. Web.
Zaidi, Sajjad, et al. “Renewable Tidal Power Generation Significance & Challenges,” 2021 International Bhurban Conference on Applied Sciences and Technologies (IBCAST), 2021. Islamabad, Pakistan, pp. 1-6.
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