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Tidal Power

Description

Tidal power is a fully predictable but expensive way to produce electricity. The average output is 40% rather than damming a river, 70%. Tidal energy is different from other power sources in several different ways. It is probably the only one that is fully predictable and only certain places can use it. Unlike solar energy, only certain places can have a tidal power plant because there needs to be a 5m high tide.

The Production of Power from Tidal Energy

Step One: Close off estuary from the sea.

Step Two: Close the sluiceways at high tide.

Step Three: The tide makes a difference between the sea and the estuary.
Step Four: When the difference is big enough, the sluiceways open
Step Five: This happens twice a day.



Advantages of Tidal Power

Disadvantages of Tidal Power
  • This source is fully predictable
  • Need large tidal range to use.
  • 2-3 trillion kilowatts of energy produced every year.
  • Only a 40% output of electricity.
  • Very refined-been used since the 12th century
  • Equipment must be salt proof.

    • There are at least two tidal power plants in Canada. They are both in the Bay of  Fundy. These are some of the most effective in the world. One of them, in Cumberland, makes only a quarter of the electricity of a normal plant but only costs one third the price. The most cost effective plant is in the Minas Basin. It makes 5300 mega Watts and only costs $7 billion.

    Bibliography

    Clark, R. H. " Tidal Energy." Canadian Encyclopedia. CD-ROM, McClelland & Stewart Inc. 1995.
    "Tidal Energy." World Book. 1998.