Core Viewpoint - Ocean energy, particularly tidal energy, is a significant green renewable energy source, with China's LHD tidal power station achieving a generation milestone of over 6 million kilowatt-hours, marking a pivotal advancement in the sector [1][12]. Group 1: Tidal Energy Overview - Tidal energy is generated from the natural rise and fall of tides, utilizing underwater turbines that can harness energy from currents regardless of their direction [3][5]. - Compared to wind and solar energy, tidal energy is recognized for its strong predictability, high energy density, minimal land use, and low ecological impact, earning it the title of "blue oil field" in the international energy community [5]. Group 2: Technological Innovations - The LHD tidal power station employs a "platform + modular" design, allowing for easy maintenance and replacement of components, significantly reducing operational costs [9]. - Advanced materials and structural designs enable the generator units to withstand typhoons and corrosive seawater, ensuring safe operation for over five years in harsh marine conditions [9]. - The station's fourth-generation units have a capacity of 1.6 megawatts, making them the largest in the world, with ongoing development for a fifth generation aimed at reducing generation costs to 0.3 yuan per kilowatt-hour, making it cheaper than coal power [9][17]. Group 3: Achievements and Future Plans - The LHD tidal power project has successfully operated for over eight years, generating more than 9 million kilowatt-hours, which is the longest continuous operation record globally for tidal energy [19]. - A new 100-megawatt tidal power station is set to begin construction in Zhoushan by the end of this year, which is expected to provide significant energy to local residents [12][15]. - The project aims to create a "mother port" for tidal energy in Zhoushan, integrating manufacturing, research, testing, and demonstration, thereby fostering a billion-level marine energy industry cluster [19][22]. Group 4: Economic Impact - The anticipated 100-megawatt tidal power station will generate approximately 610,000 kilowatt-hours daily, sufficient to meet the energy needs of over 8,000 households for 8 to 10 days [15]. - The cost of generating electricity from tidal energy has dramatically decreased from 106 yuan per kilowatt-hour in the first generation to an expected 0.3 yuan, showcasing significant technological advancements [17][19].

Core Insights - Marine energy is recognized as a significant area of international energy competition, with major economies like the EU, UK, and US aiming to develop it as the next offshore energy industry after wind power [4] Group 1: Marine Energy Overview - Marine energy encompasses energy derived from physical ocean processes such as tides, waves, and ocean currents, as well as energy stored in salinity differences and temperature gradients between surface and deep seawater [1] - The main forms of marine energy include tidal energy, tidal current energy, wave energy, temperature gradient energy, and salinity gradient energy [1] Group 2: Development Goals - The "14th Five-Year Plan" suggests advancing the development and utilization of marine energy resources and coastal islands [3] - China aims to achieve a marine energy installed capacity of 400,000 kilowatts by 2030 [3]