A tidal power station is a hydropower plant that generates electricity from the movement of the sea, using the difference between low and high tide to drive turbines placed in a dam (barrage) or directly in tidal currents.
As the tide rises and falls, huge volumes of water flow in and out. A tidal power station captures the energy of this movement, either by holding water behind a barrage and releasing it through turbines, or by placing turbines in fast tidal streams where the moving water spins them directly.
Main types
- Tidal barrage: a dam across an estuary; water passes through turbines as the tide changes.
- Tidal stream: underwater turbines driven by tidal currents, similar to submerged wind turbines.
- Tidal lagoon: an enclosed basin filled and emptied by the tide through turbines.
Application
Tidal power is a predictable form of renewable energy.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Predictability | Tides follow known cycles |
| Renewable | No fuel or emissions in operation |
| High water density | Large energy from moving water |
Because tides are highly predictable, output can be forecast accurately, unlike wind or solar. Suitable sites are limited to coasts with a large tidal range or strong currents, and barrages can affect estuary ecosystems, which must be weighed in planning.
Related terms
- hydropower
- energy
- sustainable building
- hydraulic engineering
- wave power
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