The Importance of Tidal Electricity
The Importance of Tidal Electricity
Tidal electricity is a cheap way of producing electricity. Tidal electric's tidal generator combines hydroelectric power generation with the conventional maritime water-impoundment techniques and configures a system of delivering large amounts of electrical power. Potential sites are vast ocean areas with large tidal ranges. Tidal electricity is a clean method of producing electricity, unlike that of nuclear plants and fossil fuel plants, which gives off toxic smoke and producing acid rain. There are two commercial scale barrages: a 240 MW plant in France, and a 16 MW plant in Nova Scotia, Canada. The bay of Fundy, which is found off the shores of Nova Scotia, has the highest tides in the world. They usually reach up to 25 feet high during a full moon.
There are many advantages of using tidal waves instead of nuclear plants or fossil fuel plants. The fundy tides are a renewable source of energy with a potential of producing hundreds of billions of kilowatts each year. Also, tidal produces no pollution and needs almost no maintenance. Another advantage is that water is a free resource, and is used over and over again. Once the dam is built, then the electricity is practically free. It need no fuel. Tidal electricity is highly efficient, over 50% more efficient that coal/oil. There are yet some disadvantages such as the problem of transporting the hydroelectricity because of undeveloped technology. One major concern is that it costs so much to build and effects the wide environment. Many miles upstream and downstream would be changed.
The only cost there is to build the dam. Once that’s done, then its free. But the people using it will pay a fee. This is a small figure, however, only cost the UK ratepayer $7.50 a year. This is figured at a cost of $.005 per kWh. This is much cheaper than any other source.
The source comes from tidal waves in the ocean. The water is very abundant. Turbines are situated in a powerhouse that is contained in the impoundment structure. Power is transmitted to shora via underground/underwater cables and connected to the grid. To collect it, water flows through tunnels in the dam. This can be used to turn a turbine or push...