Tidal EnergyBriana Carroll

Kareem Belhadj

WHAT IS IT

Sustainable, clean, reliable, widely distributed energy

Renewable Tidal power facilities harness the energy

from the rise and fall of tides.Two types of tidal plant facilities.

◦Tidal barrages◦Tidal current turbines

Ideal sites are located at narrow channels and experience high variation in high and low tides.

Tidal Barrages

• Utilize potential energy

• Tidal barrages are typically dams built across an estuary or bay.

• consist of turbines, sluice gates, embankments, and ship locks.

Pro and Cons of tidal barrages

• Mature technology that has been around for nearly 50 years.

• Reliable energy source.

•High costs of construction•Environmental impacts on marine life•Low power output in comparison to other energy source like coal and nuclear power plants

Tidal current turbines

Extracts kinetic energy from moving water generated by tides.

Operate during flood and ebb tides.

Pros and cons of Tidal Current Turbines

• Able to utilize both ebb and flood tides.

• Tidal current turbines are not large massive dam structure.

•Tidal current turbine technology is young in its development.•Installation and maintenance challenges.•Environmental impacts are still being tested.

Helical Turbine

Helical Turbines

•The helical turbine rotates on a shaft with a pulley that runs an alternator by means of a belt.• The alternator charges batteries for household use, as is usual with other intermittent sources—solar and wind—when used off the grid.

Biorock’s Technology

Biorock’s technology speeds the growth of coral reefs 3-5 times and increases survival from severe high temperature 16-50 times. This rapidly increases fish populations and creates ecotourism attractions.

Biorock’s technology can be used to regrow dying coral reefs throughout the world, build coastal protection, restore fisheries, and create mariculture resources.

Biorock’s technology has been proven in field tests in more than 20 Caribbean, Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Southeast Asian countries.

Tidal Energy often found around coral reefs and atolls can be used with Biorock’s technology to regrow reefs in an inexpensive, low-maintenance way using the helical turbine.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages◦The energy is free – no fuel needed, no waste produced◦Not expensive to operate and maintain◦Can produce a great deal of energy

Disadvantages◦Depends on the waves – sometimes you’ll get

loads of energy, sometimes almost nothing◦Needs a suitable site, where waves are

consistently strong◦Some designs are noisy. But then again, so are

waves, so any noise is unlikely to be a problem◦Must be able to withstand

Environmental Impact

◦Noise pollution◦Displace productive fishing sites◦Change the pattern of beach sand nourishment

◦Alter food chains and disrupt migration patterns

◦Offshore devices will displace bottom-dwelling organisms