Tidal Power takes advantage of the kinetic energy stored in the movement of the incoming and outgoing tides using tidal stream devices, as well as the daily differences between the high tide and low tide at a given location using tidal barages. Tidal power is a non-polluting technology with a great potential to generate large amounts of electrical energy as the moving sea water drives underwater turbines with current technologies based around tidal range and tidal stream devices.
Tidal fence schemes are another form of tidal stream technology, which directly exploits fast flowing underwater ocean currents for energy generation making them less costly than above water dams, walls and structures. The contunual movement of the oceans tidal streams near to coastal areas and headlands present ideal locations for many tidal fence based energy devices as the power extracted by a tidal fence depends on the instantaneous velocity of the water through the fence when using slower turning turbines.
Tidal stream generation is very similar to the principles of wind power generation in which tidal turbine generators are placed on the ocean floor. Tidal stream currents flow across the turbine blades which extract the kinetic energy from the moving tidal streams powering a generator to create electricity. Both shallow and deep projects use the same technologies, the difference is in the supporting structure and its foundations and moorings.
Tidal barrage schemes are another form of ocean based renewable energy generation technology which uses long walls, dams, sluice gates or tidal locks to capture and store the potential energy of the ocean. Tidal barrage schemes harness the potential energy of the seas and oceans using one-direction and bi-directional turbines for power generation and pumped storage with the current technology used to convert tidal range into electricity being similar to conventional hydroelectric schemes.
Tidal Energy can supply an immense and reliable source of energy by using the oceans tides to generate electricity. Tidal energy has the potential to play an important role in the sustainable energy needs of the planet. The main advantage over other forms of renewable sources is that the movement of the oceans tides is predictable. The energy extracted from the oceans tides from both the vertical movements of the waves, and the kinetic energy of tidal currents can play an important role in a sustainable energy future.
