Watching the tide rise and fall is an amazing experience. One minute you walk outside and the ocean’s edge seems miles away, and the next minute you’re standing knee-deep in water inside your ocean-front property. Tides are the rise and fall of the sea level’s surface. They are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on the water, and they can change at any time. One way we can benefit from this phenomenon is by using tidal energy, which is a form of hydropower.

What is hydropower?

Hydropower is one of the most widely used forms of renewable energy. It is the force of energy of moving water. The water can be used to turn blades in a turbine, or it can be stored in a dam and released later when electricity is needed.

What is tidal energy?

Tidal energy is energy that is created by the rise and fall of the Earth’s sea level. It is closely related to wave power, or wave energy, which uses the energy of the ocean’s surface waves to generate electricity. The amount of energy that is produced is determined by how high or low the tide rises.

How is tidal energy created?

Tidal energy can be created in three different ways:

Tidal Barrages

A tidal barrage is basically a huge dam that is built across a river or estuary. Tunnels are built throughout the dam, and when the tide rises and falls it turns a turbine that generates power.

Tidal Fences

Tidal fences are giant turnstiles that have vertical axis turbines mounted on a fence. The water passes through the fence and powers the turbines.

Tidal Turbines

Tidal turbines are the latest water power technology used in tidal areas. They look like wind turbines that are lined together underwater. They are used to capture strong tidal flows, so they have to be built extra strong.

What is tidal power used for?

The main purpose of tidal power is to generate electricity for tidal power plants.

What are the benefits of tidal energy?

Here are some benefits of using tidal energy:

• Renewable energy source
• Tides are very predictable
• Does not produce greenhouse gases
• Very cheap
• Generates electricity
• Highly reliable
• It’s free

Even though tidal power is not widely used today, it is becoming more recognized around the world for its energy efficiency. You can learn more about water energy sustainability practices at the Water and Technology Team website.