Tidal Power

How Tidal Power Works

Tidal Power is a type of hydraulic power that generates power from tides.  This form of energy is not yet commonly used worldwide but it shows a potential to being famous since we are surrounded by large bodies of water that produces reliable tides. It is more predictable compared to wind and solar power.  Some were discouraged by the cost of developing a plant and availability of locations but with the latest technologies and improvements proves that previous issues with regards to limitations of tidal power had been resolved.

Tidal plants work by putting in a dam in the along the opening of a tidal basin. The dam has a sluice where the tide flow to the basin and then it closes. The water level drops and rises again. The energy efficiency of tidal basins is very high.
 
This power works with 3 different forms of energies from the ocean. It can use wave energy, tidal energy and ocean thermal energy. Wave energy uses the kinetic movement from ocean waves. This energy can then be used to run a turbine. Most of these power sources are just small scale. Tidal energy works by trapping tides on the shore in a reservoir. This needs a huge difference in the increase and decrease of tide to become very efficient. Ocean thermal energy uses the changes of water temperature in the ocean. It needs the help of the sun to warm the surface water and create a big difference with the temperature below the surface which is very cold.

It is known to be the only form of energy that can be generated from the gravitational force between the earth and the moon and earth to the sun since they are responsible in creating tides along with the earth’s rotation. Tides magnitude on a certain location is the result of the amount of gravitational force present between the moon and the earth. The tide magnitude changes depending on the position of the moon and the sun from earth. As the earth rotates, the tide volume also changes in relative to its position and the shape of the seafloor and coast. Because of this environmental phenomenon, a tidal generator can be used to generate power. The tidal energy efficiency depends on how strong the tide is.

Tidal power takes the kinetic energy of water that passes through the turbines and rotates its wings and transforms the energy to electricity. To produce a good amount of electricity about 4 to 5 meters range of tide is needed. It is very important to determine the best place to install the turbines. Whether the water can sustain the tidal energy needed in sustaining the power production. Though putting in a tidal power plant is not cost effective, once the turbine is placed on the right site, the energy would then be for free. It does not need any maintenance any more, aside from tide supply. But when the plant fails, it is a very tough job to have it fixed again. Though this technology is already in use but it is not yet fully organized and developed.
 
Ocean Thermal Energy

The final ocean energy idea uses temperature differences in the ocean. If you ever went swimming in the ocean and dove deep below the surface, you would have noticed that the water gets colder the deeper you go. It's warmer on the surface because sunlight warms the water. But below the surface, the ocean gets very cold. That's why scuba divers wear wet suits when they dive down deep. Their wet suits trapped their body heat to keep them warm.
Power plants can be built that use this difference in temperature to make energy. A difference of at least 38 degrees Fahrenheit is needed between the warmer surface water and the colder deep ocean water.
Using this type of energy source is called Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion or OTEC. It is being used in both Japan and in Hawaii in some demonstration projects.