Tidal power can be defined as a form of power harnessed through the conversion of tides energy into electrical power andor other forms of power (Rajput, 2006, p.12). For electrical power generation, tidal energy is produced using tidal energy generators. This practice has been in existence for many years but in small scale, and the first large scale tidal power plant was opened in 1966. However, with the ever increasing scientific investment in this field and the concern by the global community to engage in renewable and environment friend energy source, tidal power finds a great potential as the future source of electric power in many communities. This is because, with increased investment into this field of research, new and efficient systems have been designed which can work even with low tides.
How Tidal Powered Electrical Generation works
There are three techniques of generating tidal electric power. Tidal barrage is one of the tidal powered electricity generation techniques (Shepherd, 2003, p.31). This type involves the construction of a dam, commonly referred to as a barrage, across an inlet with sluice gates. The sluice gates function to control water levels in the barrage by allowing it to fill during oncoming high tides while emptying during outgoing tides (Rajput, 2006, p.12). The energy brought by this tides is converted into mechanical then electrical power by a generator. Some two-way systems are available which serve to produce electricity both during the incoming and outgoing tides thus increasing efficiency.
Another technique is the use of tidal fences which comprises of turbines vertically mounted in a fence (Rajput, 2006, p.12). The fence serves the sole purpose of channeling all passing waters through the turbines thus initiating the functioning of the turbines to generate electricity. Due this reason, this technique is best suited for such areas like those having channels between two landmasses. Tidal fences are cheap to install compared to tidal barrages (Shepherd, 2003, p.31). However, they have the disadvantage that they can inhibit movement of large sea animals.
The third tidal powered electricity generation technique is the use of tidal turbines (Rajput, 2006, p.13). This technique involves the use of turbines similar to wind turbines mounted on the surface of the sea in a region which experiences strong tidal wave flow, typically 2-2.5ms. Owing to the high density of water compared to air, tidal turbines can generate energy 4 times higher than wind turbines (Shepherd, 2003, p.31). The technique is found to have less interference with movement of large marine animals. However, this turbines need to be heavy to stand strong sea current thus making them expensive to construct.
Advantages
Tidal power generation has many advantages. First, tidal waves are as a result of the gravitational influence of the sun and moon and the rotation of the earth. This phenomenon is naturally recurrent thus making tidal power a renewable energy source (ThinkQuest, 2010). The world is increasingly faced with the problem of global warming caused by emission of greenhouse gases from production industries (ThinkQuest, 2010). Tidal power could sufficiently solve this problem of using fossil fuels for electricity power production. Such a power source is thus seen as a long term source of energy for the sustainable future existence of the human community.
Another advantage of tidal power is that it can be highly reliable compared to other sources like wind and solar. This is because, unlike wind and solar, tide waves are quite predictable (Rajput, 2006,p.13). To be understood here is the fact that the reliable availability of power is quite important in the modern society were almost all aspects of our life are evidently controlled by power. This means that working with a predictable power source could serve in ensuring sustainable power supply as in incidences of predicted low tides, backup systems can be used.
Availability of the resource is another important advantage of tidal power. A tidal power generation requires strong tides, which according to research are widespread along our sea waters. 70 of the earth is water, big share of which comprise big rivers and oceans, a factor which opens up most parts of the globe to benefit from this green source of electricity. Still, tidal power is important for the protection of the environment (Shepherd, 2003, p.31). Fossil fuels which are commonly used in electricity generation are natural resources whose extraction leads to destruction of landscapes. Therefore, using tidal powered electricity generation, environmental destruction caused by mining fossil fuels will be reduced.
Disadvantages
Tidal power generation development has however been hindered by concern for free movement of marine animals as well as ships (ThinkQuest, 2010). Techniques like tidal barrages and tidal fences are particularly a major concern for inhibiting fish and sea plant habitants. Another major drawback is the high costs associated with installation of tidal power electricity generation and the low rate of innovation towards the designing of high efficient and reliable tidal turbine systems (ThinkQuest, 2010).
Tidal powered electricity generation techniques have a great potential of ensuring the sustainable future supply of safe power to the world. It gives mankind an added advantage in addressing the problem of global warming that is no doubt threatening the sustainable social and economic development of the global community (ThinkQuest, 2010). Therefore, there is need for governments, engineers and scientific researchers to investment devotedly in overcoming the difficulties limiting the realization of tidal power generation.
How Tidal Powered Electrical Generation works
There are three techniques of generating tidal electric power. Tidal barrage is one of the tidal powered electricity generation techniques (Shepherd, 2003, p.31). This type involves the construction of a dam, commonly referred to as a barrage, across an inlet with sluice gates. The sluice gates function to control water levels in the barrage by allowing it to fill during oncoming high tides while emptying during outgoing tides (Rajput, 2006, p.12). The energy brought by this tides is converted into mechanical then electrical power by a generator. Some two-way systems are available which serve to produce electricity both during the incoming and outgoing tides thus increasing efficiency.
Another technique is the use of tidal fences which comprises of turbines vertically mounted in a fence (Rajput, 2006, p.12). The fence serves the sole purpose of channeling all passing waters through the turbines thus initiating the functioning of the turbines to generate electricity. Due this reason, this technique is best suited for such areas like those having channels between two landmasses. Tidal fences are cheap to install compared to tidal barrages (Shepherd, 2003, p.31). However, they have the disadvantage that they can inhibit movement of large sea animals.
The third tidal powered electricity generation technique is the use of tidal turbines (Rajput, 2006, p.13). This technique involves the use of turbines similar to wind turbines mounted on the surface of the sea in a region which experiences strong tidal wave flow, typically 2-2.5ms. Owing to the high density of water compared to air, tidal turbines can generate energy 4 times higher than wind turbines (Shepherd, 2003, p.31). The technique is found to have less interference with movement of large marine animals. However, this turbines need to be heavy to stand strong sea current thus making them expensive to construct.
Advantages
Tidal power generation has many advantages. First, tidal waves are as a result of the gravitational influence of the sun and moon and the rotation of the earth. This phenomenon is naturally recurrent thus making tidal power a renewable energy source (ThinkQuest, 2010). The world is increasingly faced with the problem of global warming caused by emission of greenhouse gases from production industries (ThinkQuest, 2010). Tidal power could sufficiently solve this problem of using fossil fuels for electricity power production. Such a power source is thus seen as a long term source of energy for the sustainable future existence of the human community.
Another advantage of tidal power is that it can be highly reliable compared to other sources like wind and solar. This is because, unlike wind and solar, tide waves are quite predictable (Rajput, 2006,p.13). To be understood here is the fact that the reliable availability of power is quite important in the modern society were almost all aspects of our life are evidently controlled by power. This means that working with a predictable power source could serve in ensuring sustainable power supply as in incidences of predicted low tides, backup systems can be used.
Availability of the resource is another important advantage of tidal power. A tidal power generation requires strong tides, which according to research are widespread along our sea waters. 70 of the earth is water, big share of which comprise big rivers and oceans, a factor which opens up most parts of the globe to benefit from this green source of electricity. Still, tidal power is important for the protection of the environment (Shepherd, 2003, p.31). Fossil fuels which are commonly used in electricity generation are natural resources whose extraction leads to destruction of landscapes. Therefore, using tidal powered electricity generation, environmental destruction caused by mining fossil fuels will be reduced.
Disadvantages
Tidal power generation development has however been hindered by concern for free movement of marine animals as well as ships (ThinkQuest, 2010). Techniques like tidal barrages and tidal fences are particularly a major concern for inhibiting fish and sea plant habitants. Another major drawback is the high costs associated with installation of tidal power electricity generation and the low rate of innovation towards the designing of high efficient and reliable tidal turbine systems (ThinkQuest, 2010).
Tidal powered electricity generation techniques have a great potential of ensuring the sustainable future supply of safe power to the world. It gives mankind an added advantage in addressing the problem of global warming that is no doubt threatening the sustainable social and economic development of the global community (ThinkQuest, 2010). Therefore, there is need for governments, engineers and scientific researchers to investment devotedly in overcoming the difficulties limiting the realization of tidal power generation.
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