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Tidal Power

Description

Along coastlines with strong tides, the water contains a lot of potential energy. In places like the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, where the tides at 17 meters are the largest in the world. Power plants have been constructed in order to harness this environmentally friendly electricity source.

 

The Production of Power from Tidal Energy

Step One: A barrage is first set across a beach or river.
Step Two: When high tide comes in, water flows through a two-way turbine creating electrical energy.
Step Three: The barrage's gate is lowered capturing some of the water.
Step Four: When the tide goes out the gate is raised and the flowing water goes back through the two-way turbine creating more electrical energy.



Advantages of Tidal Power

Disadvantages of Tidal Power
  • reduces dependence on fossil fuels
  • few places where tides are actually strong enough to produce amount able energy
  • is a reliable, dependable source
    		•
  • could damage/destroy animals' habitats
  • renewable
    		•
  • expensive construction of power plants
  • produces no pollution
    		•
  • tidal fences can block paths for migrating fish
    • There are few places in the world whose tides have been deemed strong enough to harness for energy purposes. One 40 mega-watt plant has been constructed in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia. It is the only tidal power plant in the Western Hemisphere. This plant produces about 1% of Nova Scotia's electrical power. There is a potential tidal power plant site in Frobisher Bay up north however it's construction has not been commenced yet.

    Bibliography:
    I obtained my information for this site from the following websites:
    http://waterpower.hypermart.net/tidal.html
    http://www.calpoly.edu/~cm/studpage/nsmallco/clapper.htm

    Graphics were obtained from:
    http://www.calpoly.edu/~cm/studpage/nsmallco/clapper.htm