Renewable Energy: The SeaGen Electricity Generator

Following on from our recent Science Trip to Northern Ireland, Eleanor Moffitt (Form I) gives us her take on renewable energy.

The SeaGen Generator

We all use a lot of electricity. We just flick a switch and lights come on, or press a button for our dishes to be washed. We now have to start thinking about new ways of creating electricity. Energy sources are divided into two groups: renewable and non-renewable. When non-renewable sources have been used-up they will be gone forever, as they take millions of years to form e.g. coal, oil and natural gas. These resources are easy to use but they can be harmful to our Earth – causing greenhouse gases/climate change and acid rain when they are burnt.

Renewable sources of energy never run out, and are kind to our environment. Wind power, H.E.P., solar and tidal energy are some things which can be used to make renewable electricity. On our Science trip we visited the Sea Gen electricity generator in the Narrows of Strangford Lough. When the tide goes in the water rushes through the narrow channel linking the Lough with the sea and spins turbines which generate electricity. I think this is a great invention, and one of the best ways of creating renewable electricity, as the tide never stops coming in and out.