A review of ocean tidal current energy technology: Advances, trends, and challenges

Rapid advancements in renewable energy technologies have been primarily driven by the increasing global energy demand for energy and the growing concerns over environmental pollution. Among these technologies, tidal current energy has achieved significant attention due to its high energy density and stable energy output. Compared to other renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, tidal current energy is more stable and predictable, offering considerable potential for integration into future energy systems. However, despite its promise, several key technological challenges must be addressed to enable the widespread development of tidal current energy technology. To address these challenges, this paper presents a comprehensive review of recent advancements in ocean tidal current energy technology, with particular emphasis on the analysis of the main types of energy harvesting devices and support structures. Furthermore, it evaluates representative tidal current energy devices based on their operational principles, technical features, and applications. By systematically reviewing mainstream hydrodynamic analysis methods, this paper evaluates their applicability and limitations in assessing the performance of tidal current energy devices. This assessment improves the accuracy of performance predictions and offers theoretical support for the optimal design of the energy harvesting systems. In addition, the paper addresses key issues in the development of tidal current energy technology, including technological feasibility, cost management, and environmental impact. These discussions provide a foundation for identifying emerging trends and major technical challenges in the field. Finally, the development prospects of tidal current energy technology are explored from the perspectives of technological advancement, economic viability, and sustainability. It is concluded that achieving widespread adoption of tidal current energy depends on factors such as technological maturity, effective cost control, and the balanced integration of environmental and social benefits.