Tidal Power (School of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Essay

Tidal Power (School of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering) - Essay Example There are approximately 20 sites over the world where tidal power can be generated. This energy is free, but it can be managed with any other power generation plant as it is available only for 10-12 hours per days when tides flows. Keywords: Tide, tidal, turbines, sluices, lock, embankments, tidal fences, tidal lagoons, tidal streams, Bulb turbine, Rim Turbine, Tubular turbine, Offshore Turbines, Vertical-Axis turbines and tidal barrages. One can easily say or predict that one thing happens every day twice, which is coming and going of tide in ocean (sea). This can happen because of gravitational force of the Moon and Sun at the same time rotation of Earth [3]. Because of tide huge of amount of water moves and harnessing it by some means can provide a great deal of energy. This energy supply is reliable and plentiful (forever) and renewable. The tides will continue to ebb and flow, and the energy is there for the taking. It gives a distinct advantage over other renewable sources that are not reliable and predictable, such as wind and solar energy. But the main concern is related to converting it into useful form of power (electricity) and that is not easy. Only around 20 sites in the world have been identified as possible tidal power stations [2]. Turbines: It is located in water passages which are designed to convert the potential energy of the difference in water levels across the barrage into kinetic energy in the form of fast-moving water and than later converted into rotational energy by the blades of the turbines and then into electricity by generators driven by turbines[1]. Different types of turbines used are Bulb turbine, Rim Turbine, Tubular turbine, Offshore Turbines and Vertical-Axis turbines [3][4]. The power available from the turbine at any particular instant is given by: Opening fitted with controlled gates (Sluices): It is designed to pass large flows