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Wave Power Generation 357

FIGURE 11-22 Artist's Drawing of Tidal Energy Crossflow Turbine. The tidal energy
crossflow turbine is shown mounted on the ocean floor. (Source: Courtesy of Ocean
Renewable Energy Company.)

after construction, as discussed in Section 1-6. The SeaGen system and the TidGen
system are providing valuable baseline data for future projects in harnessing tidal
energy.
A concern for barrage dams is the effect on fish migration patterns as well as fish
mortality due to passing through turbines. Another concern is the changing patterns for
sediments. When water containing sediments slows, the sediments that were suspended
in the water tend to be deposited. Sedimentation tends to decrease the intertidal area, which
can affect shellfish and can kill clams. It can also affect other marine life, including fish by
reducing fish spawning areas, and bird habitat. The extent of effects on wildlife varies
depending on the specific location. Depending on the source of the sediments, the net effect
is cumulative changes in deposition and erosion patterns that can have negative
environmental impacts. At Annapolis in the Bay of Fundy, most sediment is derived from
upstream of the barrage dam, so there is a deficit of sediments below the dam, creating
erosion along the shore of the basin region after the dam.

SECTION 11 - 4 CHECKUP

1. Explain what causes the tides to rise and fall.

2. How often do spring tides occur? What causes them?
3. What is a tidal barrage power system? How does it work?
4. Explain how to estimate the total stored potential energy in
a tidal barrage.

5. What is the advantage of a crossflow turbine in a tidal

11-5 Wave Power Generation

Ocean waves produce a large amount of energy that can be harnessed to produce electri cal
power. A number of concepts and prototypes as well as a few actual systems have been
developed that have delivered electrical power from wave energy. The costs so far have not
proven competitive with other sources, however new devices are being developed that may
prove to be competitive. Unlike solar and wind energy, wave energy tends to be constantly
available, even more so than tides. This section explains several of the methods currently
under development around the world to convert wave power into electrical power

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