Tidal Energy Scope of Future | Electrical Seminar Topic
Tidal Energy Scope of Future
Renewable energy can
be used to decrease global dependence on natural resources, and tidal power can
be the primary form of renewable power utilized. Built upon steam turbine
knowledge, tidal turbines draw on innovative technology and design to operate
on both the inflow and outflow of water through them.
Two case studies,
Annapolis Royal and La Rance, prove that tidal power plants are capable of
producing reliable and efficient power. Problems, such as initial cost and
power transportation hinder future implementation of tidal power plants.
This
paper emphasizes the possibilities of utilizing the power of the oceans by
pollution free, tidal Power generation. Tidal power utilizes twice the daily
variation in sea level caused primarily by the gravitational effect of the Moon
and, to a lesser extent by the Sun on the world's oceans. The Earth's rotation
is also a factor in the production of tides
Tides, the daily rise and fall of ocean levels relative to
coastlines, are a result of the gravitational force of the moon and sun as well
as the revolution of the earth. The moon and the sun both exert a gravitational
force of attraction on the earth. The magnitude of the gravitational attraction
of an object is dependent upon the mass of an object and its distance.
The moon
exerts a larger gravitational force on the earth because, although it is much
smaller in mass, it is a great deal closer than the sun. This force of
attraction causes the oceans, which make up 71% of the earth's surface, to
bulge along an axis pointing towards the moon. Tides are produced by the
rotation of the earth beneath this bulge in its watery coating, resulting in
the rhythmic rise and fall of coastal ocean levels.
The gravitational attraction of the sun also affects the
tides in a similar manner as the moon, but to a lesser degree. As well as
bulging towards the moon, the oceans also bulge slightly towards the sun. When
the earth, moon and sun are positioned in a straight line (a full or new moon),
the gravitational attractions are combined, resulting in very large
"spring" tides.
At half moon, the sun and moon are at right angles,
resulting in lower tides called "neap" tides. Coastal areas
experience two high and two low tides over a period of slightly greater than 24
hours.
The friction of the bulging oceans acting on the spinning earth results
in a very gradual slowing down of the earth's rotation. This will not have any
significant effect for billions of years. Therefore, for human purposes, tidal
energy can be considered a sustainable and renewable source of energy.
