Tidal Power - Tidal energy advantages and disadvantages

                                               Tidal Power

Tidal Power :- it is the form of renewable energy source in which tides convert into electrical energy. Turbine convert the movement of  water change in tides, the kinetic energy into electrical energy. These large underwater turbines are placed in areas with high tidal movements. Gravitational pull of the moon and sun along with the rotation of the earth cause the tides. Tidal occurrence are not limited to the oceans, but can occur in other system.

Tides changes via following stages:-

• water rises to its highest level, arriving high tide   
• water stops falling, reaching at low tide
• Sea level rises over some hours, wrapping the intertidal zone.
• Sea level falls over some hours, disclose the intertidal zone

There are three different ways to generate tidal energy :-

1.   Tidal Lagoons

2.   Tidal Streams

3.   Tidal Barrages

Tidal lagoons:- a power station which generate electrical energy by natural rise and fall of the tides. Tidal lagoons design is to construct circular retaining walls embedded with turbine. This type of wall is commonly known as a rubble mound breakwater with a sand core. The wall will be constructed using marine construction methods

Tidal streams :-  tidal currents occur by rise and fall of tides in horizontal direction, Tidal stream generators make use of the kinetic energy of moving water to power turbines. It is very similar to wind turbines

Tidal Barrages :-  tidal barrages is like a hydro power dam. A barrage is built across a river. Gates and turbine built into the dam wall, these  gates are opened, allowing the tide to flow in, and turn the turbine. These types of dams can be used not only to produce renewable energy, but also to reduce flooding.

Some Tidal power stations in the world:-

Power Station                                                   Country                Capacity MW

Annapolis Royal Generating Station                 Canada                             20

Jiangxia Tidal Power Station                             China                               3.2

Kislaya Guba Tidal Power Station                     Russia                             1.7

Rance Tidal Power Station                                 France                             240                    

Sihwa Lake Tidal Power Station                        South Korea                    254                  

Strangford Lough SeaGen                                  United Kingdom             1.2                     

Uldolmok Tidal Power Station                           South Korea                    1.5                         

Eastern Scheldt Barrier Tidal Power Plant         Netherlands                    1.25   

   

Advantages of Tidal Power :-

1.     Tidal barrages provide protection against flooding

2.     High predictability as high and low tides

3.     Tidal energy is not expensive to operate and maintain as compare to other renewable energy resources

4.     No noise produced by tidal energy

5.     Eco friendly

6.     Efficiency of tidal power is far greater as compared to coal, solar or wind energy

7.     The life of tidal energy power plant is quite long

8.     Tidal energy does not require any kind of fuel to run

9.     Tides store a lot of energy, giving tidal energy a high energy density

Disadvantages of Tidal Power :-

1.   Intensity of sea currents is unpredictable and there can be damage of power generation unit

2.   Tidal power generation is short period of time generation depends upon movement of tides.

3.   They can disrupt the migration of marine life

4.   Turbine blades can kill marine wildlife