Tidal energy

[Scylax]

Regularly, I read that the tides average 9 or10 metres twice per day at Cardiff, in the Severn estuary. Can't all the energy generated by these tides be harnessed and fed into the national grid ?

[Hopkirk]

They have just shelved a plan for a Severn barrage, as too expensive.

There was a lot of worry about a few worms on the mudflats aswell.

[gen2]

It was under consideration for many years.
eg this BBC article
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6681113.stm

But it would have had a huge environmental impact and plans were eventually scrapped in 2009.
http://www.thisissout...7-detail/article.html

[ABerrant]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severn_Barrage

[rov1200]

The government decided to waste our money on the London Crossrail instead. They don't seem to have heard of the District or Central Line tube underground which already does the job.

[wildwood]

Here are a few more tidal generator devices ...

http://en.wikipedia.o...r#Oscillating_devices

[Scylax]

Thank you, all. The Wikipedia screed is fascinating ++, Seemingly it can be done but it requires the political will of eg. the Dutch (who are damn clever with water technology) to
get things underway. They bridged the Zuider Zee at enormous cost, but with huge benefits. It seems that Britannia would rather waive the rules.