Tidal Energy

This chapter discusses the basic principles of harnessing tidal energy to generate useful power. Countries with access to vast oceans have the potential to augment their energy from tidal power systems. The various schemes of power generation from tidal energy are classified in this chapter. Tidal power can be generated even with a single-basin system utilizing either the ebb cycle or the tide cycle. Both systems can be combined to increase the hours of operation. However, continuous power may only be obtained with the use of a double-basin system. Several figures are presented on the operation of these systems showing when gates are opened and closed. Several example problems are presented to estimate power output, very similar to the hydropower chapter calculations. The potential tidal energy available in the United States and worldwide is also presented. There are examples for estimating costs of electrical power production from tidal energy. Finally, the chapter discusses various environmental and economic issues concerning tidal energy conversions. Costs of tidal systems are compared from various locations in China, France, and Canada.