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TIDAL ENERGY

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

tides scientifically. His explanation of the tides (and many other


phenomena) was published in 1686, in the second volume of the Principia.

WHAT IS TIDAL ENERGY?


-Tidal power, also called tidal energy, is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides into useful forms of power - mainly electricity. -Tidal Power is the generation of electrical power through the harnessing of the ebb and flow of the tides.

TIDAL STREAM GENERATOR


Tidal stream generators (or TSGs) make use of the kinetic energy of moving water to power turbines, in a similar way to wind turbines that use wind to power turbines. Some tidal generators can be built into the structures of existing bridges, involving virtually no aesthetic problems.

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

is very cheap to maintain.

There is no waste or pollution.

Very reliable.
We can predict when tides will be in or out. The barrage can help to reduce the damage of

very high tidal surges or storms on the land.

It reduces the dependence upon fossil fuels

Tidal and wave energy is free, renewable, and


clean source of energy

It produces clean electricity, with no


production of greenhouse gas or pollution.

Tidal and wave energy generation and

consumption creates no liquid or solid pollution


Highly efficient resource (compared with coal and

oil at 30%, tidal power efficiency is about 80%)


Energy capturing and conversion mechanism may

help protect the shoreline.

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.

APPLICATIONS OF TIDAL POWER


Small-scale tidal mills were used in the Middle Ages for grinding
corn. The barrages which are built can be used as a means to cross the estuary with much greater ease. The main application of tidal power

is as an additional means of generating renewable, sustainable energy


which does not affect the environment in a negative way.

TIDAL POWER IN SOUTH AFRICA


South Africa is a country with a huge coastline; there are many bays and lagoons which can be used to generate this kind of electrical power. We have many big cities that are located on the coast and would benefit greatly from this kind of

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.

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