7A+Tidal+Power

TIDAL POWER

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===Tidal power is the power harnessed from the rise and fall of the sea level. It is one of the few renewable resources we have on Earth. However, this source is special because it is very predictable. Although it is not very widespread, it is still very efficient.===

=How Does it Work?= ==== Tidal power is very efficient and it is easy to generate electricity. A barrage, which is much like a dam, is built across an estuary. Turbines are installed in the wall of the barrage. When the tides flow in or out, and fill the tidal basin to the appropriate level, the water is emptied through the turbine and electricity is produced. The electricity that is produced by the turbine is then stored in a generator and eventually sent out for public use. ====

= How Wide Spread is It? = The countries that generate tidal power are China, Russia, South Korea, Canada, UK and France; which has the biggest tidal power plant in the world.There are currently no countries in Africa that use tidal power but in the future, if it becomes more widespread, that will change. Tidal power is not very widespread because only certain areas can fit the requirements for a successful power plant, especially the heights of the tides.



=** How Efficient Is It? **=

Tidal power is actually incredibly efficient (about 80% efficiency). But on the other hand, approximately 4 to 5 meter range of tides are required to produce a significant amount of electricity. Tidal power is also one of the most expensive electricity sources, it costs on average $2.4 million per megawatt or $15 billion to construct a single power plant. ==

=** Benefits and Drawbacks **= What are the benefits of Tidal power? What are the drawbacks of Tidal power? > === === == =** Role In the Future: **=
 * It is predictable and reliable.
 * This source is good for us humans because it prevents foods.
 * It produces more electricity in Winter, when also, more electricity is demanded.
 * It doesn’t use carbon dioxide and it is a renewable source.
 * Harmful to marine ecosystems
 * Very expensive to construct
 * Takes on average 10 years to build a single power plant
 * It only works 10 hours a day when the tides flow

We do not believe that tidal power will play a big role in the future, but the very distant future. One reason is that tidal power is initially very expensive although it is later free. Also the fact that the tides only generated electricity for 10 hours a day could be a limiting factor to tidal power's future. On the bright side, there are no emissions or pollution involved with tidal energy, but scientists are still trying to figure out whether it has a negative effect on marine ecosystems. Additionally, one cannot built a tidal power dam in any location, there have to be specific requirements such as the height of the tides for a successful tidal power plant. Even though it is more efficient than other electricity sources, such as coal, it does not produce nearly enough electricity to meet all of our energy demands. To conclude, we think that tidal power may be a safer and cleaner alternative to most other energy sources but it still has a long way to go and many improvements to be done.

Pictures Cited
TIDAL BARRAGE

[] TIDAL POWER WORLD MAP