Producing Electricity Using Tidal Power

Tidal power or tidal energy is one of the important conventional sources of energy. It is produced from the energy of the tides which is converted into electricity. At present we are not able utilize it for maximum benefits but in near future, tidal power will be one of the important source of electricity generation. Besides, we can predict tides more easily than solar power or wind energy. Not only was that, from very ancient times tide mills used in Europe and Atlantic coast of USA. The earliest being during middle Ages or even Roman times.

Tidal power generation
Tidal power is generated from the tides which are produced due to the relative motion of the earth and moon and to a very small extent due to the Earth-Sun system. This is the only source of energy which is generated from the motions of the earth and moon. Other sources of energy like fossil fuels, bio-fuels, solar power, and wind power, wave power and hydroelectric originate from Sun either directly or indirectly.

For the generation of the Tidal energy gravitational forces play the major role. Gravitational attraction of the Sun and the Moon are responsible for the rise and fall of the water levels and the production of the tidal currents. The level of the tide at any location depends upon

The change in the position of the Sun and the Moon relative to the Earth
Effects of the rotation of the earth and
The shape of the coastlines and sea floors

• Types of tidal power

• Tidal power is classified as:

Tidal stream system which uses the kinetic energy of the flowing water to supply power to the turbines. The method is popular because of its cost effectiveness and lower ecological impacts.
Barrages which uses the potential energy of the difference in the head between low and high tides. Barrages are basically dams which are built across a tidal estuary. They are not that much popular because of the high infrastructure cost and environmental issues.Tidal lagoons which are very much similar to the barrages and cost less. Besides, they can be configured so that they can generate continuously.

To produce energy using tidal power, a tidal energy generator is used. Higher the height of the water levels or stronger the tidal current velocities, greater will be the tidal power generation.

Tidal movement causes the Earth-Moon system to loose energy continuously. This happens because of the water being pumped up around the coastlines due to the natural restrictions and because of the viscous dissipation in turbulence and at the sea bed.

Tidal energy is inexhaustible and can be regarded as a great renewable energy source.