ENERGY CONSERVATION

Use of renewable energy: Tidal 1

 4.5 USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY: TIDAL

BACKGROUND

• Energy is required for the evolution of life forms on earth. However, a significant
portion of the energy which we use today is obtained from non-renewable sources.
• This implies that once they are used up, they cannot be replenished.
• The most important source of non-renewable energy used extensively is fossil fuels
which have taken millions of years to be formed.
• Thus, it is important to use them judiciously. This requires us to look for alternate
sources.
• We know that energy exists in different forms in nature and that it cannot be created
or destroyed.
• But it can be transferred from one form to another.
• The energy from nature- the sun, the wind, waves, tides, etc. can be converted into a
usable form.
• One of these renewable sources of energy is tidal energy.

WHAT ARE TIDES?

• The gravitational forces of the sun and the moon combined with the rotation of the
earth result in an alternate rise and fall of the sea levels.
• In one particular place, it usually occurs twice on a lunar day.
• The rise of the sea level is called the high tide, whereas the fall is called the low tide.
• When the earth and moon’s gravitational field is in a straight line, the influences of
these two fields become very strong and cause millions of gallons of water to flow
towards the shore resulting in the high tide condition.

• Likewise, when the moon and earth’s gravitational fields are perpendicular to each
other, the influences of these fields become weak, causing the water to flow away
from the shore resulting in a low tide condition.

Use of renewable energy: Tidal 2

 • When the moon is perfectly aligned with the earth and the sun, the gravitational pull
of the sun and the moon on the earth becomes much stronger and the high tides
much higher and the low tides much lower during each tidal cycle.
• This condition occurs during the full or new moon phase. Such tides are known as
spring tides.
• Similarly, another tidal situation emerges when the gravitational pull of the moon
and sun are against each other cancelling their effects.
• This results in a smaller difference between the low and high tides due to the smaller
pulling action on the seawater, thereby resulting in weak tides.
• These weak tides are known as neap tides. Neap tides occur during the quarter
moon phase.

Alignment of sun and moon on the tides

Use of renewable energy: Tidal 3

TYPES OF TIDES

THERE ARE PRIMARILY TWO MAIN TYPES OF TIDES:

A) High Tide:
1. Spring Tide: Occurs during the full moon and new moon phases when the
gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun are aligned, reinforcing each other. This
results in higher high tides and lower low tides.
2. Neap Tide: Occurs during the first and third quarters of the moon when the
gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun are perpendicular to each other,
partially cancelling each other out. This leads to lower high tides and higher low tides.
There are primarily two main types of tides:
B) Low Tide:
1. Diurnal Tide: In areas with only one high tide and one low tide each day.
2. Semidiurnal Tide: In areas with two high tides and two low tides each day,
approximately of equal height.
Mixed Tide: In areas where the tidal pattern is a combination of both diurnal and
semidiurnal tides, resulting in unequal high and low tides.
• The specific type of tide experienced in a particular location depends on factors such
as geographical features, coastline shape, and local bathymetry (underwater
topography).
• The interaction between the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun, along
with Earth's rotation, contributes to the complexity of tidal patterns worldwide.

INTRODUCTION TO TIDAL ENERGY

• Tides are a regular phenomenon.

• They can be predicted over months and years in advance.
• This is why the energy from this massive movement of water can be harnessed and
converted into a usable form of energy.
• Tides are caused through a combination of forces created by the gravitational pull of
the sun and the moon, and the rotation of the earth.
• Tidal energy is a form of energy obtained from the ocean water due to rise and fall of
tides.

Use of renewable energy: Tidal 4

 • This energy is used to produce electricity as tides take place every day and every
minute in the ocean.
• It is also a non-polluting and conservating way of producing energy. They are also
very predictable and because of this, they are used for the vast production of
electricity for many purposes.
• Tidal energy is harnessed by constructing a dam across a narrow opening to the sea.
• Tidal energy is a renewable energy source that harnesses the power of tides to
generate electricity.
• It is a form of hydropower, and it takes advantage of the gravitational forces
between the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun, which cause the rise and fall of sea
levels, creating tidal movements.
• Tidal power captures the energy of moving water masses due to tides and uses it to
generate renewable electricity. A dam or barrage or underwater turbines are built
across the estuary of a river. The river funnels the tides into narrow channels where
the speeding water turns the turbines.
• Tidal currents with sufficient energy for harvesting develop as water moves more
quickly through a constriction.
• Tidal Energy is produced by the movement of tides and seas and is manifested in the
intensity of the water caused by the rise and fall of tides.
• In tidal power, a form of gravitational hydropower, a turbine is propelled by the flow
of water to produce electricity.
• Energy naturally present in water bodies or in their movement can be used for
generation of electricity.
This is achieved broadly in the following ways:
Tidal energy: Using the "head" (height difference) between low and high tides to create a
fall similar to that in a conventional hydropower project. This uses the potential energy of
the water body.
Wave energy: Using the kinetic (dynamic) energy of the waves to rotate an underwater
power turbine and generate electricity thereon. This can be loosely described as an
underwater wind farm.
Thermal energy: Using the thermal energy of oceans to generate electricity. This is similar
to geothermal power generation where heat trapped in the earth surface is converted into
electrical energy.

Use of renewable energy: Tidal 5

GENERATION OF TIDAL ENERGY

• Tidal energy is generated by harnessing the kinetic and potential energy of tides, which
are the periodic rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces of the
moon and the sun.
• There are different methods for capturing tidal energy, and one common approach
involves using tidal power plants.
• Below is a simplified explanation of tidal energy generation along with the steps:
1. Tidal Power Plant Components:
• Tidal Basin: An enclosed area along the coast where tidal range is significant. The
basin typically has gates or barriers to control the flow of water.
• Tidal Gates or Barrages: Structures, such as sluice gates or tidal barrages, are
installed across the entrance of the tidal basin to control the flow of water.
2. Tidal Energy Generation Process:
a) Incoming Tide (Flood Tide): As the tide rises, water enters the tidal basin through
the gates or barrage. The water level inside the basin increases, creating a potential
energy difference between the higher water level inside the basin and the lower sea
level outside.
b) High Tide: Once the tide reaches its peak, the tidal gates are closed to trap the
water inside the basin. At this point, there is a significant potential energy stored in
the elevated water level inside the basin.
c) Outgoing Tide (Ebb Tide):When the tide begins to recede, the gates are opened,
allowing the water to flow out of the basin. As the water flows out, it passes through
turbines installed in the gates or barrage.
d) Turbine Operation: The flow of water through the turbines causes them to rotate,
converting the kinetic energy of the moving water into mechanical energy.
e) Electricity Generation: Connected to the turbines are generators, which convert
the mechanical energy into electrical energy. The generated electricity is then
transmitted to the grid for distribution to consumers.

Use of renewable energy: Tidal 6

TIDAL ENERGY: ADVANTAGES

Renewable and Sustainable: Tidal energy is a renewable resource as it relies on the

gravitational forces between the Earth, moon, and sun, ensuring a continuous and
predictable source of power.
Low Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Tidal power generation produces minimal greenhouse gas
emissions compared to fossil fuels, contributing to efforts to combat climate change.
Predictable Energy Generation: Tides are highly predictable and follow a regular pattern
based on lunar cycles, making it easier to anticipate energy generation and plan for power
supply.
High Energy Density: Tidal energy has a high energy density, meaning that a relatively small
area of the ocean can produce a significant amount of power.
Long Lifespan of Infrastructure: Tidal power infrastructure, such as tidal turbines, can have
a long operational lifespan with proper maintenance.

TIDAL ENERGY: DISADVANTAGES

High Initial Costs: The installation of tidal power plants involves high initial capital costs.
Building and maintaining the necessary infrastructure, such as turbines and underwater
cables, can be expensive.
Environmental Impact: The construction and operation of tidal energy systems may have
environmental impacts, including disturbance to marine ecosystems, changes in
sedimentation patterns, and potential harm to marine life.
Limited Locations: Tidal energy is feasible only in specific locations with strong tidal
currents, limiting its geographical applicability. This restricts the number of potential sites
for tidal power plants.
Intermittent Nature: Tidal energy generation is intermittent and dependent on tidal cycles.
Power output may vary, and there are periods of low or no energy generation during slack
tides.
Technology Challenges: Developing and maintaining reliable tidal energy technologies can
be challenging due to harsh marine conditions, corrosion, and the need for robust
engineering solutions.
Impact on Navigation: Tidal energy infrastructure may interfere with maritime activities,
navigation, and shipping routes, potentially causing conflicts with other ocean uses.

Use of renewable energy: Tidal 7

KEY TAKEAWAYS

 Tidal energy is a form of energy obtained from the ocean water due to rise and fall of
tides.

 This energy is used to produce electricity as tides take place every day and every
minute in the ocean.

 It is also a non-polluting and conservating way of producing energy. They are also
very predictable and because of this, they are used for the vast production of
electricity for many purposes.

 Tidal energy is generated by harnessing the kinetic and potential energy of tides,
which are the periodic rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces of
the moon and the sun.

Use of renewable energy: Tidal 8