Tidal Energy
Presented by: Courtney Winter and Quinn Foley
Overview*How Tidal Energy Works
*Environmental Impact
*Advantages/Disadvantages
*The Four Outputs
* Conclusion
Where Does Tidal Energy Come From?
Form of hydropower from the movement of water caused by tidal currents or the rise and fall of the sea levels due to the tides
Comes from waves that start from wind
This forms as a result of the sun's heating of the Earth
As the wind hits the water, ripples form which then push until they grow to be large waves
Relevant HistoryEight main sites around Britain where tidal
power stations could usefully be builtThe “Swan turbine” is a design that is
different to other devices. The blades are connected to an electrical generator without a gearbox in between.
The largest tidal power station in the world is in the Rance Estuary in northern France, in which it was built in 1966. Swan
turbine
The Process
Turbine and generator
Estuary
Produced in a motion that can be transformed into power
Channel or tube that flows the water
An efficient design that can be lifted on a ship for maintenance
Keeps the generator on the ocean floor
StatisticsA Tidal Reef across the Severn Estuary is
being proposed --- mud flats could still be exposed at low tide, and this
makes it to generate power for more hours in the tidal cycle
---can also make sections of it to allow shipping to go through, control tidal levels further upstream, prevent storm surges, and to avoid flooding on low-lying land
Tidal Reef across the
Severn Estuary
Statistics (continued)
Tide mills ---mill operated by the tidal movement of waterexamples:
Statistics (continued)Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain)
---this invention relates to a system for a method of moving sea water by utilizing the tidal flow and ebb
Environmental ImpactMany birds rely on the tide uncovering the
mud flats so that they can feed
Tidal energy is a renewable source of electricity which does not result in the release of gases responsible for global warming or acid rain associated with fossil fuel generated electricity
Use of tidal energy could also decrease the need for nuclear power, with its associated radiation risks
AdvantagesTidal Power produces no fuel and produces
electricity reliably
It produces no greenhouse gases or other waste
Not expensive to maintain
Tides are predictable
Does not have a large environmental impact
DisadvantagesThere are few suitable sites for tidal
barrages
Only provides power for around 10 hours each day, when the tide is actually moving in or out
Damages like reduced flushing, winter icing and erosion can change the undergrowth of the area and disrupt the balance
Only is available in small regions
Four OutputsType 1- Expected and Desired
--- produces electricity reliablyType 2- Expected and Undesired
---can destroy marine life Type 3- Unexpected and Desired
---generator can make the sea level go down
Type 4- Unexpected and Undesired---(could possibly) put the generator in a
wrong place in which it would not generate electricity
Conclusion (and citations)Tidal Power is a good way to modernize our
energy systems and help improve our environment
Citations ---Darvill. 21 Dec. 2008 http://www.darvill.com.---Dictionary. 21 Dec. 2008 http://www.dictionary.com
.---How Stuff Works. 21 Dec. 2008
http://www.howstuffworks.com.
---Wikipedia. 21 Dec. 2008 http://www.wikipedia.com.
Questions?