Why can't we harness VAST natural energy?

I live by the beach. In just a few thousand square metres of the sea the energy equivalent of multiple nuclear bombs is happening literally ALL the time EVERY day. We are talking about the basic and powerful energy of gravity between the Earth and the Moon. Limitless and predictable energy. Why are ideas for harnessing this VAST energy so dated (based on victorian steam engines) of using motion of waves up and down to generate heat and steam to fire old power stations?

Come to think of it, why is practical nuclear fusion now never publicly seen now as a potential energy source?

gintable2010-05-31T19:58:02Z

Favorite Answer

1. Synchronization is a problem. Tides occur very slowly at a period of about 12 hours. Electrical energy transmission has a frequency of transmission of usually 60 cycles per second.

2. The coils in the generators would need to be ginormous to have sufficient inductance to make an electric generator work off that slow of turbine motions.

3. Corrosion is a problem since you will expose the intricate and high surface area machinery to the salty water constantly.