Tidal Energy - article about Tidal Energy

Using Tidal Energy

There are several ways to harness tidal energy, including wave buoys, C-Planes, tidal barrages, off shore turbines, and vertical axis turbines are the most well known options for collecting tidal energy. The concept of tidal energy is simple. Each of the methods employ a turbine of sorts, which the ocean’s ebbs and flows are able to stimulate. The turning turbine is able to create energy which is stored for use just like any other power plant.

Wave Buoys

Wave buoys are able to collect tidal energy without many of the environmental impacts larger structures can cause; they do collect energy on a small scale, however. Wave buoys are able to collect about 300 kw each and it would take many of these to produce enough power for a city to use, however, because the source is renewable and non-polluting, it is a better choice for cities to be able to use it than fossil fuel power.

C-Planes

C-Planes are large structures resembling airplanes which can float in areas with high currents and collect energy; they collect energy because they are essentially large turbines which create tidal energy. The energy is made usable, much the same as other sea stationed turbines, by collecting and storing the energy in generators which can be used to meet the public’s needs.

Tidal Barrages

Tidal barrages are like huge dams between land masses with turbines within the walls of the dam to create tidal energy. These tidal barrages can have detrimental effects to the environment because they can interrupt the passage of wildlife and silt distribution; the dam could also have effects on wildlife which depend on the tides and silt distribution, such as water fowl.

Off Shore Turbines

Off shore turbines create tidal energy much the same way that wind turbines create electricity on dry land; creating energy farms on the ocean floor would produce much more electricity than wind farms because tidal currents are much stronger than most winds, and the currents are more consistent.

Vertical Axis Turbines

Vertical axis turbines work like many other turbines with the exception that they are confined to a smaller space; it would essentially create little pods with turbines installed in them which are able to harness tidal energy. To provide the most power, these pods would be placed in an area with strong currents to make the most of the available energy.

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