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Tidal Power
Tidal Power plants
are similar to Coal powered plants and
hydroelectric powered plants,
nuclear power plants and
geothermal plants in the way they produce
electricity. The difference in the systems is their fuel
sources. Essentially, the technologies produce
the energy that drives the turbine and the electromagnetic
rotor which creates
flow of electrons (or electricity).
Tidal Power Plants obtain the fuel that
drives the plants from the power of the tide. One of two approaches can be
used:
1. Tidal Barrages: Tidal barrages are
big dams built across an estuary to
capture the potential
energy generated by the change in head between high and low tides. As the
tide goes in and out, the water flows through tunnels in the dam. The ebb
and flow are used to either turn a water turbine or compress air through a
pipe that then turns a turbine, which generates electricity.
2. Underwater Turbines: Underwater
turbines are installed below water surface. As the
tides ebbs and flows, the underwater turbines
spin like windmills. The turbines are mounted on
a gearbox shaft, which rotates the electromagnet that generates
electricity. Underwater cables carry the
electricity to the shore, where it can be stepped up by
transformers and distributed to consumers through transmission lines.
Some links:
Tidal Power on Wikipedia
Tidal Power - Energy from the sea
Energy
Source - Tidal Power (Pembina Institute)
Blue Energy - Tidal Power
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