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TIDES
Tides are periodic rises and falls of large bodies of water. Tides are
caused by the gravitational interaction between the Earth and the Moon. The gravitational attraction of the moon causes the oceans to bulge out in the direction of the moon. Another bulge occurs on the opposite side, since the Earth is also being pulled toward the moon (and away from the water on the far side). Since the earth is rotating while this is happening, two tides occur each day. Isaac Newton (1642 -1727) was the first person to explain
TIDAL BARRAGE
A tidal barrage is a dam-like structure used to capture the energy from masses of water moving in and out of a bay or river due to tidal forces.
ADVANTAGES:
It
Very reliable.
We can predict when tides will be in or out. The barrage can help to reduce the damage of
DISADVANTAGES:
It is not cost effective because fossil-fuel power
stations do not pay for the cost of their carbon emissions to the planet. This will change as fossil fuel is valued at its real price. It leads to the displacement of wild life habitats.
It can only be used where there is suitable tidal flow or wave motion. So it can not be used inland. It only produces electricity during tidal surges. Barrage systems require salt resistant parts and lots of
maintenance.
The frames of the turbines can disrupt the movement of large marine animals and ships through the channels on which the barrage is built.
IS IT RENEWABLE?
Yes, the tides will continue to ebb and flow, thus there will always be power being generated. The water is not used up, it stays in the water cycle, and can therefore be used over and over again without the need for replenishment.
power generation.
South Africa has only one nuclear power station, and therefore we rely a lot on fossil fuels for our electrical power. Thus we would benefit significantly from a renewable energy source such as tidal power.
INTERESTING INFORMATION
The capital necessary to build the barrage is very high and is its main downfall. But once it is built it is very cheap to maintain. The turbines only need to be changed every 30 years. Ships cannot get into the bay unless provision is made for them in the form of a gate. The barrage can be used as a road to cross the bay easily. There will be a calm lot of water behind the wall; this can be used for recreational purposes such as yachting or swimming.
TIDAL GAUGE
A tide gauge is a device for measuring the change in sea level relative to a datum. Sensors continuously record the height of the water level with respect to a height reference surface close to the geoid. Water enters the device by the bottom pipe (far end of the tube, see picture), and electronic sensors measure its height and record it to a tiny computer.