TIDAL ENERGY

ORIGINS AND FORMATION

• The original inventor of this power plant is unknown
• Tides are formed by the moons gravitational pull
• It harnesses all types of ocean tides
• Some think it is part of the solution to our energy crisis
• Some think it will harm marine life too much

USE

• First a tide is determined strong enough to support a tidal plant
• At the point were the tide is strongest a dam is built with turbines in it
• This way the tide is forced to spin the turbines
• The electricity which is then sent to the mainland through the dam

FUTURE SUPPLY

• Since the tides are caused by winds
• And the winds are caused by the sun
• This power source is thought to last for as long as the sun

CURRENT USES

• provides electricity to costal areas
• The biggest tidal power plant is off the coast ofFrance
• The U.S. is thinking of building one but it is not very practical

BENIFITS

• Turbines have little environmental impact
• Tides are reliable and predictable
• Low operating costs
• It is a renewable source of energy
• Long periods between needs for mantainence

MORE BENIFITS

• Effective at low tidal speeds
• Emissions free
• Can double as storm surge barriers
• One plant can go 100 years without needing to be replaced
• Requires no fuel to start it

DRAWBACKS

• Can't turn too fast because it would harm marine life
• Slat water can corrode machinery
• High cost to build first time
• Not many practical places to put this power plant
• Turbines can restrict access to open water

MORE DRAWBACKS

• Has to be close to land and not further out at sea
• It disrupts regular tidal cycles
• The tides arn't the same strength 24/7
• Tides may shift making the plant to be uses less for a while
• Decreases salinity in tidal basins

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• energyinformative.org
• triplepundit.com
• nationalgeographic.com
• pembina.org
• greenthefuture.com