Last Update: 04/05/2026 at 2:50 PM EST
Tidal Power Gains Safety Evidence
Coverage from Inside Climate News, The Conversation, and others
Articles
3
Latest Article
03/31
Active Days
77
Executive Summary
New underwater camera data show low wildlife risk from a test tidal turbine, easing permitting concerns as tidal and hydrokinetic power expands
- A Sequim Bay tidal turbine study found zero collisions for seals and seabirds
- Researchers recorded 1,044 marine-life interactions over 109 days at the test site
- Fish interactions showed a 98 percent safety rate, with four fish struck
- AI-enabled acoustic cameras tracked wildlife behavior in darkness and ignored debris
- The study could help reduce regulatory caution that has slowed tidal projects
- Global tidal mapping identifies more than 400 potential sites across 19 countries
- UK and France plan at least 400 megawatts of tidal stream capacity over the next decade
Quick Facts
- What: Reported low wildlife collision risk from a tidal turbine
- Where: Sequim Bay Washington and broader tidal project sites
- Why: To support tidal energy permitting and expansion
- Who: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and collaborators
- When: Study released in January 2026 after 109 days
Coverage Timeline: 77 Days
Featured Article
UK and France target at least 400 megawatts of tidal stream capacity as a global site assessment estimates up to 110 terawatt-hours per year potential.
Additional Articles
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Inside Climate News reports that a Sequim Bay, Washington tidal-turbine wildlife study released in January 2026 provides no findings about heat pump technologies.
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Ocean Renewable Power Company is developing submersible hydrokinetic projects in Montreal and the Niagara River to provide dispatchable clean power as electricity prices rise in 2026.