Alternative Energy

Tidal Power
29/03/2020

Tides are one of nature's most astonishing and breathtaking phenomena. They are caused
due to the gravitational pull of the Sun and the Moon as well as due to the Ccoriolis effect.
(Coriolis effect is the phenomenon in which a mass rotating about a certain axis experiences a
perpendicular force due to the direction and axis of rotation.) Tidal power is one of the oldest
forms of power generation in the world. There have been accounts from the Middle Ages as well
as from the Roman Times about the prevalent use of tidal power to help churn grains. It is a
hundred-percent renewable source of energy which has extremely low environmental concerns
as well as zero carbon footprint. Tidal power takes advantage of the natural fall and rise of tides
and uses the potential energy associated with this phenomenon to generate electricity.

Principle : As the Earth revolves around the Sun and the Moon revolves around the Earth, a
bulge in the water level is created which results in high tide. These bulges take place at regular
intervals because of the fixed time interval of the revolution of the moon around the Earth. Due
to this low and high tides are formed in the seas and oceans. By the help of various techniques
and machines we can harness the potential energy due to the low and high tides and convert them
into electricity. But the basic principle remains that the mechanical energy of tides is converted
into electrical energy and then used for various purposes. As the tidal power is completely
dependent on the Earth-Moon gravitational attractions, it is a practically inexhaustible source of
energy thus qualifying as a renewable source of energy.

Methods : Various methods can be used for the conversion of energy. They are :
- Tidal Stream Generator : In this method the kinetic energy of tidal streams is primarily
harnessed and used to rotate turbines which are further attached to electrical generators.
This method is very similar to how wind turbines work. Thus, this method has several
advantages as well as disadvantages which are in line with those of wind turbines.
Furthermore, in this case artificial land barriers like straits or inlets can be used to
increase the velocity of water and thus increase its kinetic energy. The turbines used can
 be placed in numerous possible manners to increase the output of the system. Tidal power
is better than wind power because the density of water is 832 times that of air so even
flows of much lesser velocity can be utilized to generate electricity.
- Tidal Barrage : The tidal barrages utilize the potential energy difference between the
high and low tides to generate electricity. When the tides change, a considerable change
in the sea level is observed. Thus due to a the pressure being created due to a difference
in heights, the water flows in a specific direction and thus the turbines are rotated and
electricity is generated. Tidal barrages are in general just like dams across entire
estuaries.
- Dynamic Tidal Power : This is a theoretical and a rather new technology which that
proposes to exploit an interaction between the kinetic and potential energy of the tides.
- Tidal Lagoons : This is also a very new technology in this field but it has still never been
implemented in practice. In this method, circular water retainers are formed and the
potential energy of tides is harnessed with the use of turbines.

Issues and Challenges : Despite the hundred percent renewable rating of tidal power, it has its
own unique flaws. There are several environmental factors attached towith this form of
generation of energy. First of all, the biggest challenge to an increase in the adoption of this
energy is that there is a lack of research in this field. We simply do not have enough facts with us
about the effects of using this. However, the most basic environmental concern is its effect on
marine life. Rotating turbines can kill fishes and other marine animals. However, some solutions
do exist but still, constant noise generating turbines are bound to have a very adverse effect on
the marine life in the corresponding region. The carbon footprint of the tidal power is in line with
that of solar power and wind power but it is significantly better than coal or petroleum based
power plants. The other major concern is the leakage of flux due to the electromagnetic cores of
the generators. This electromagnetic flux can alter the acoustic outputs of the marine animals.
Also, some other general include the corrosion in machines underwater due to the constant
exposure to seawater. But the biggest obstacle in the industrial development of tidal power plants
is its high initial cost of manufacturing. It is important to realize that this is a very new
technology, industrially speaking, and it is projected that this will be profitable in the next 2-3
years with the development of newer technology and bigger scales. Another issue with these
plants is that they can be established at very typical and selective places.

Conclusion : Despite all the issues and challenges surrounding tidal energy, it is still
unreasonable to wipe off this technology. Though still in its infant phase, this technology has
tremendous potential to fundamentally change the fight against global warming. The biggest
advantage of with this method is that it is completely clean. The other advantage of this, over
solar or wind power plants is that it takes less space and still generates more power. It is also a
continuous as well as a predictable source of energy because scientists have long figured out the
tide patterns. In the last 10 years, several tidal power plants have come all over the world but
they still generate a very small fraction of the total energy needs of the world. Thus, it is in over
best interests to encourage the development of this technology.

References :
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_power
- https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/hydropower/tidal-power.php
- https://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/hydro/tidal-power/
- https://www.power-technology.com/features/tidal-energy-advantages-and-
disadvantages/
- https://www.power-technology.com/features/featuretidal-giants-the-worlds-five-biggest-
tidal-power-plants-4211218/
- https://www.studentenergy.org/topics/tidal-power
- https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/tidal-energy/
- https://energyinformative.org/how-does-tidal-power-work/
- https://www.britannica.com/science/tidal-power