By: Hannah Lyons & Sarah Smith

Description A form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides and waves into electricity and other types of power Needs no fuel and costs little after construction because energy comes from ocean Tides are created due to gravitational attraction of the moon and sun A plant can be used years after construction First tidal plant was started in 1966

How it Works Tidal energy is obtained from the motion of large bodies of water A dam is put across a tidal basin and includes an opening which allows the tide to follow into the basin. Then the opening closes and as the sea level drops, hydropower techniques are used to generate electricity in the basin.

Who? Where? Regions on the coast will utilize tidal energy. The largest facility is the La Rance station in France. Tidal energy has been experimented in Europe and the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. The U.S. currently has no plants. The most promising areas for plants are France, England, Canada, and Russia. A 10 foot tidal range is needed to harness the tidal energy

Average Cost Ranges between 2-5 million dollars to construct a plant. $2.5 million to produce 1.39-MW power plant in Santoña, Spain. One plant was installed in Northern Ireland that produces 1.2-MW. A fairly new way to harness energy…a cost per KWh is not available. Unknown!

Pros Renewable Clean and nonpolluting No carbon dioxide or other byproducts are released Help to reduce the reliance on burning fossil fuels Not expensive to operate Protects the coastline from high storm tides Tides can be easily predicted, unlike solar and wind power

Cons Silt builds up on river bed Dams interfere with shipping Provides only 10 hours of power per day Cannot be used inland Expensive to build Barrages effect the fish migration Can increase turbidity

References l_power.htm l_power.htm wave+energy/310 wave+energy/310 ower_home-basics ower_home-basics