In 2015, the United States generated about 4 trillion
kilowatthours of electricity. About 67% of the electricity
generated was from fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and
petroleum)....
Technologies: Tidal Power
Tidal power or tidal energy is a form of hydropower with a predictable output pattern that can be converted into other
useful forms of energy such as electricity. Tidal power is created as the result of rise and fall of sea levels caused by the
combined gravitational forces of moon, sun, and rotation of the earth. Therefore, tidal power is categorized in the class of
renewable energy sources. In comparison with other renewable energy sources such as wind energy and solar power;
tides are more predictable and thus can be considered as more reliable sources of energy for the electric power grids.
Recent researches show that, even with the use of short term sampling, accurate prediction of marines is possible up to
98%. Also, the marine energy source is easier to incorporate to the electric power grid especially for the local applications.
Tidal power can be classified into four generating methods:
•Tidal stream generator (TSG): TSGs make use of the kinetic energy of moving water to power turbines, in a similar way to
wind turbines that use wind to power turbines
•Tidal barrage: Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in height (or hydraulic head) between
high and low tides.
•Dynamic tidal power (DTP): DTP is an untried but promising technology that would exploit an interaction between
potential and kinetic energies in tidal flows.
•Tidal lagoon: A newer tidal energy design option is to construct circular retaining walls embedded with turbines that can
capture the potential energy of tides.