Imagine standing on a rocky shore as the tide rolls in and out, a rhythm as old as the moon itself. That steady pulse of water carries immense, predictable energy, yet we’ve only begun to tap into it. While solar panels and wind turbines dominate headlines, tidal stream turbines may be one of the most reliable and transformative renewable technologies on the horizon.
In this episode, we dive beneath the waves to explore how tidal stream turbines work, why they matter, and what makes them unique in the renewable energy landscape. Unlike wind or sunlight, tides never falter, they can be forecast centuries in advance with near-perfect accuracy. And because water is hundreds of times denser than air, even slow-moving tidal currents pack extraordinary power.
We’ll break down the physics of tides, the engineering behind underwater turbines, and the challenges of building machines that can survive one of Earth’s harshest environments. Along the way, we’ll look at pioneering projects in Scotland, Canada, and beyond that are proving the ocean can power thousands of homes.
Join me, Drew, as we uncover how the ceaseless motion of the sea could become humanity’s hidden power plant, and why you might never look at the tide the same way again.