Tidal Energy

The energy from the rise and fall of the sea level is called tidal energy. Lots of interesting things about tidal energy is explained here in detail. Click here to know more about tidal energy.

Tidal Energy

“Tidal energy can be obtained from Earth oceanic tides”`

Tidal energy can be obtained from Earth oceanic tides. Though tidal energy is not widely used  nowadays, it is promising source for future generation.

Definition of  tidal energy

  • The energy generated from the rise and fall of the sea level is called tidal energy.
  • Tidal energy has great potential for future power and electricity generation because of the massive size of the oceans.
  • Tidal energy is a renewable energy.
  • Tidal energy is reliable and plentiful.

History of tidal energy

  • Tidal mills are the precursors to today’s tidal energy
  • The Rance river has the world’s first tidal power generating station.
  • In 1799, first patent of a device designed to use ocean waves to generate power.
  • In 1910  Bochaux-Praceique built First oscillating water column  to power his house.
  • In 1940 Yoshio Masuda experimented with many concepts of wave power.
  • In 2004 tidal energy was delivered to an electrical grid for the first time.
  • In 2007, 8 prototype turbines where placed in the East River between Queens and Roosevelt Island.

How tidal energy is generated?

  • Strong attraction to the oceans causing a temporary increase in sea level.
  • When the sea level is raised, water from the middle of the ocean is forced to move toward the shore causing tides.
  • A tidal generator converts the energy of tidal flows into electricity.
  • Greater tidal variation and higher tidal current velocities can dramatically increase the potential of a site for tidal electricity generation.

How tidal energy is generated?

  • Three generating methods are available to generate tidal energy.

    • Tidal energy from tidal steam generator
    • Tidal energy from tidal barrage
    • Tidal energy from dynamic tidal power

Tidal energy from tidal steam generator

The kinetic energy of moving water is used to run the turbines.

Tidal energy from tidal barrage

  • The potential energy of  high and low tides are used to generate tidal energy.
  • When the sea level rises and the tide begins to come in, the temporary increase in tidal energy is channeled into a large basin behind the dam, holding a large amount of potential energy.
  • With the receding tide, this energy is then converted into mechanical energy as the water is released through large turbines that create electrical power through the use of generators.
  • Barrages are dams across the full width of a tidal estuary.

Tidal energy from dynamic tidal power

  • It is a modern technology based on the interaction between potential and kinetic energies of the tidal flows.
  • Very long dams are built from coasts straight into the ocean.
  • Tidal phase differences are introduced across the dam.

Advantages of tidal energy

  • Tidal  energy is free: no fuel needed, no waste produced.
  • Tidal energy is not expensive to operate and maintain.
  • Tidal energy produce a great deal of energy.

Disadvantages of tidal energy

  • Tidal energy depends on the waves – sometimes you’ll get loads of energy, sometimes almost nothing.
  • Tidal energy needs a suitable site, where waves are consistently strong.

Other types of Atomic Energy