Tidal Energy

By: Kathryn Cora Hinderaker, Allison Marie McFarland, Taylor Catherine

Wahlberg & Skip.

How it Works

• A huge dam is built across a river estuary. When the tide goes in and out, the water flows through tunnels in the dam.

• The flow of the tides can be used to turn a turbine

Kathryn Hinderaker 1

Renewable or Nonrenewable?

Yes, tidal energy is renewable because tides

will always flow

Kathryn Hinderaker 2

Cost of Tidal Energy

•The cost varies greatly depending on where the damis built•The cost ranges from millions to billions of dollars•The Severn Estuary cost almost 37 million dollars•Once built no cost except low maintenance cost

Skip 3

Pros of Tidal Energy

• Non-polluting to the environment • Once built, it is free• Tides are very reliable • One tidal plant after being placed can produce

energy for 75 to 100 years

Ali McFarland 4

Cons of Tidal Energy

• Environmental and marine safety issues• Very expensive to build • Limited geographically, few places are suitable

for tidal energy• It provides power only for 10 hours in a day

Ali McFarland 5

Environmental Concerns• Can cause a build up of pollutants

• 15% of fishes that swim through will be killed• The salinity of the basin will decrease • Too much phytoplankton would grow

Skip 6

Major Countries

• FRANCE -240 MW tidal barrage (largest)

• CANADA - 20 MW annapolis tidal barrage

• CHINA -11 MW tidal power schemeTAYLOR CATHERINE

WAHLBERG 7

USA

ALASKA 620twh/y

WEST COAST 250twh/y

EAST COAST 160twh/y

Citations

• “Tidal Energy.” 27 February 2012. http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/tidal.htm.

• “Ocean Tidal Power.” 9 Feburary, 2009 http://www.energysavers.gov/renewable_energy/ocean/index.cfm/mytopic=50008.

• “Tidal Energy.” 4 April 2012 http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/02365/tidal.html.

• “Energy Resources: Tidal Power.” 4 April 2012 http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/tidal.htm.