Final answer:
Tidal power is not a dispatchable source of electricity because its generation is tied to the natural and predictable movement of tides, which cannot be controlled to match electricity demand.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tidal power is a form of renewable energy that is harnessed by converting the energy from ocean tides into electricity using turbines. While tidal energy is highly predictable due to the regularity of high and low tides, it cannot be dispatched on demand like some other energy sources because it is dependent on the natural and cyclical movement of tides. Unlike dispatchable sources, such as natural gas plants that can be quickly turned on or off to meet electricity demand, tidal power generation is limited to the times when tidal movements produce enough kinetic energy to operate turbines.
Tidal Power is restricted to coastal locations with significant tides such as the Bay of Fundy or the La Rance tidal power plant in France. While the technology for capturing tidal energy is similar to that of hydroelectric installations and is not difficult to implement, the application remains limited due to environmental considerations and location dependency. Therefore, tidal power is a clean energy source with predictable patterns, but it is not dispatchable in the way that is typically required to balance electricity supply and demand on a power grid.