Tidal EnergyGabriella Badurek

Sabrina Tan

Tides vs. WavesAlternate rising and

falling of the seaOccurs twice in each

lunar dayControlled by the

moon

Kinetic energy that moves across the ocean’s surface

Process of Tidal WavesAs the high tide comes, the water rises on one side.

The water funnels through a tidal turbine or a barrage (dam)that which then triggers the turbine to convert the energy into electricity.

One way tidal energy is converted into electricity is using a dam. At some points turbines and sluice gates are installed. When one side of the dam is high the gates open. The water flows through turbines and then turns a generator to convert the energy into electricity.

Tidal energy is only efficient if the tidal range is at 4 meters.

Continued…The process continues back and forth on each

side which makes tidal waves a renewable source.

Tidal energy can be exploited in 2 ways:1. By building barrages/dams in water ways2. Harnessing offshore tidal streams

2 Types of Tidal Generators1. Barrage (Dam)• Converts tidal energy by forcing water

through a turbine, activating a generator• Found in rivers and other natural waters

2. Tidal Turbines• Relatively cheap• Can be built whenever and able to be

extended at any time

BenefitsRenewableBecause the moon controls the water, the

tides are predictableTurbines create energy used to kill fish, but

now are being replaced with friendly turbines for fish

Does not consume fuelNo noise pollution or gaseous emissions

LimitationsDoes not produce a lot of electricityConstruction of the dam is expensiveOnly capable of working with waterBecause the water in the dam and the sea

aren’t exchanged often, phytoplankton and bacteria can grow

Fishes used to be killed in the turbines

Le Rance Tidal Power Plant1960’s – Near St. Malo, France24 bulb type generators

Each bulb generates 10MW (megawatts) of electricity as the tide comes in and out

The La Rance barrage produced 240 megawatts of power since 1966.

Able to generate power for 4% of homes in Brittany

Le Rance

East River, NYC6 turbines were placed into the East River in

NYC which supplies some energy on Roosevelt Island.

On December 31st 2006 was when electricity was first generated from the NYC turbine generators.

The turbines used in the East River are axial-flow rotor turbines which have three radial blades.

Other Facts Tidal power is economically competitive and

it produces electricity with prices similar to wind power according to Electric Power Research Institute.

Tidal power was also used in Normandy. Novia Scotia Power generated up to 20

megawatts of power since 1984 in the Bay of Fundy..