History of Tidal Power

The emerging technology of Tidal Stream Generators is positioned to play a key role in supply the world with clean, reliable, and completely renewable energy. The power of the tides is one of the greatest forces on Earth with vast potential as a major renewable energy source.

Tidal power is a form of water power that transforms the energy of tidal flow into electricity as well as mechanical power. Tidal mills, a type of traditional water mill, harnessed the tidal flow in a mill pond and, when the tide became low enough, the water was released in order to turn a water wheel or operate other machinery such as saws, bellows, and lathes. This is the same basic operational principle that works in the world’s three modern tidal barrage power plants. The power is renewable, but quite limited due to the lack of viable locations (river estuaries with very specific conditions), the high construction costs and environmental considerations, including the effect on the local scenery.

Enter the Tidal Stream Generator!

The new and highly promising tidal stream systems use the kinetic energy of water movement to power tidal turbines. Several projects are under development with a couple of prototypes up and testing in different parts of the world.

Tidal stream technology is gaining popularity due to a much lower cost and much smaller ecological footprint than tidal barrages. These turbines are invisible, located under the ocean in the mouths of rivers and bays or the narrow channels between land masses where waters moves fast through constricted areas.

Tidal power is a much more reliable source than direct solar energy or wind power. The tides come in and the tide goes out—twice a day—every day. The movement of the tides is caused by the gravitational effect of the moon and the sun on the Earth’s rotation, making this a virtually unending source of renewable energy.

How it Works

The tidal turbine technology is quite straightforward, with water turning the turbine blades much as the air moves a wind turbine to create electricity. Water is 832 times as dense as air, allowing a single tidal stream generator to produce substantial power at low tidal flow speeds.

A newer technology known as the Shrouded Tidal Turbine is rapidly taking hold due to its potential for 3 to 4 times the power production as compared to a free flowing stream. A turbine shaped shroud or duct produces a sub-atmosphere of low pressure behind the turbine which increases tidal turbine efficiency. Beyond the increased power capacity, advantages include:

*3 to 4 times greater return on investment ($$$)

*Able to use in shallower, lower flow areas

*Greater range of potential tidal turbine plant locations

*Expensive turbine mechanisms are shielded from debris damage

*lower profile under water means safer navigation of waterways.

Expect to see new tidal stream systems being built in such proposed sites as:

The Strait of Magellan (off Chile)

The Golden Gate (harbor entrance) in San Francisco

English Channel Islands off the French Coast<!–[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]–>
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Turbine stream generator technology shows excellent potential for filling a large portion of our energy needs. The environmental impact, as compared with the fossil fuels of oil and coal, is substantially lowered; the source is almost inexhaustible; and tidal power is highly reliable as compared to solar and wind energy sources. Keep a close eye on this rapidly emerging hydropower alternative energy resource.

Seagen Tidal Turbine Shrouded Tidal Turbine