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Tidal Energy. Brandi Alfaro Sheyla Gonzalez. http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/tidal.htm http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/hydro/tidal-power/ http://www.solarfeeds.com/ecofriend/16720-in-focus-tidal-energy. How it Works.
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Tidal Energy Brandi Alfaro Sheyla Gonzalez
http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/tidal.htm • http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/hydro/tidal-power/ • http://www.solarfeeds.com/ecofriend/16720-in-focus-tidal-energy
Howit Works • Tides are created by the flowing of water due to the gravitational interaction between the moon, sun, and rotating planet. • tidal energy is an energy source direct result of tide shifting from low to high. • There consistently has to be a 16 feet (5 m) difference • There are 20 sites that are suitable for a tidal power station • Not one can be found in the US • Tidal power is harnessed in a couple of ways: • kinetic energy that powers turbines as the water moves between flow and ebb tide, • potential energy in which barrages are used to the difference between high and low tide.
How does it produce energy? • Tidal power is harnessed in a couple of ways: • kinetic energy that powers turbines as the water moves between flow and ebb tide • potential energy in which barrages are used to exploit the difference between high and low tide. • Tidal Turbines
Tidal Barrage • Huge dam built across a river estuary. • the water flows through tunnels. The ebb and flow of the tides is used to turn a turbine, or can be used to push air through a pipe, which then turns a turbine. • Process • water flows in the basin/estuary • Turbines spin as the water flows to the basin/estuary • gates open and the water flows back to the seas • tide recedes out through the barrage • while water travels from basin to sea, the turbines are spun again
Highest tides (tide ranges) of the global ocean Country Site Tide range (m) • Canada Bay of Fundy 16.2 • England Severn Estuary 14.5 • France Port of Ganville 14.7 • France La Rance 13.5 • Argentina Puerto Rio Gallegos 13.3 • Russia Bay of Mezen (White Sea) 10.0 • The largest tidal power station in the world (and the only one in Europe) is in the Rance estuary in northern France, near St. Malo.
Why should we use it? • The initial cost of creating a barrage is high. • This problem could be solved by: • government funding and/or large organizations • In terms of long term costs, once the construction is complete, there are: • very small maintenance and running costs • turbines only need to be replaced every 30 years • life of the barrage is indefinite • it will receive free fuel from the tide its entire life