Presentation Transcript

1. Tidal Energy Gabriella Badurek Sabrina Tan

2. Tides vs. Waves • Alternate rising and falling of the sea • Occurs twice in each lunar day • Controlled by the moon • Kinetic energy that moves across the ocean’s surface

3. Process of Tidal Waves • As the high tide comes, the water rises on one side. The water funnels through a tidal turbine or a barrage (dam)that which then triggers the turbine to convert the energy into electricity. • One way tidal energy is converted into electricity is using a dam. At some points turbines and sluice gates are installed. When one side of the dam is high the gates open. The water flows through turbines and then turns a generator to convert the energy into electricity. • Tidal energy is only efficient if the tidal range is at 4 meters.

4. Continued… • The process continues back and forth on each side which makes tidal waves a renewable source. • Tidal energy can be exploited in 2 ways: • By building barrages/dams in water ways • Harnessing offshore tidal streams

6. 2 Types of Tidal Generators • Barrage (Dam) • Converts tidal energy by forcing water through a turbine, activating a generator • Found in rivers and other natural waters • Tidal Turbines • Relatively cheap • Can be built whenever and able to be extended at any time

9. Benefits • Renewable • Because the moon controls the water, the tides are predictable • Turbines create energy used to kill fish, but now are being replaced with friendly turbines for fish • Does not consume fuel • No noise pollution or gaseous emissions

10. Limitations • Does not produce a lot of electricity • Construction of the dam is expensive • Only capable of working with water • Because the water in the dam and the sea aren’t exchanged often, phytoplankton and bacteria can grow • Fishes used to be killed in the turbines

11. Le Rance Tidal Power Plant • 1960’s – Near St. Malo, France • 24 bulb type generators • Each bulb generates 10MW (megawatts) of electricity as the tide comes in and out • The La Rance barrage produced 240 megawatts of power since 1966. • Able to generate power for 4% of homes in Brittany

12. Le Rance

13. East River, NYC • 6 turbines were placed into the East River in NYC which supplies some energy on Roosevelt Island. • On December 31st 2006 was when electricity was first generated from the NYC turbine generators. • The turbines used in the East River are axial-flow rotor turbines which have three radial blades.

14. Other Facts • Tidal power is economically competitive and it produces electricity with prices similar to wind power according to Electric Power Research Institute. • Tidal power was also used in Normandy. • NoviaScotia Power generated up to 20 megawatts of power since 1984 in the Bay of Fundy..