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.

For more details on Tidal Energy, readers can check this video:

Other Resources:

• Energy Resources - Contain information about various forms of energy
• Department of Energy - Energy Sources - United States Department of Energy
• The Energy Story - California Energy Commission
• EIA Energy Kids - Energy Kids: Energy Information Administration - United States Environmental Information Administration
• Sources of Renewable Energy - Website of the Pembina Institute
• Tidal Power on Wikipedia
• Tidal Power - Energy from the sea
• Energy Source - Tidal Power (Pembina Institute)
• Blue Energy - Tidal Power