Tidal energy power generators

Composite materials/fabrication techniques for tidal energy power generators... 

Although the technology required to harness tidal energy is well established, because tidal power is expensive there is only one major tidal generating station in operation in the world today. This is a 240-megawatt power plant at the mouth of the La Ranee River estuary on the northern coast of France, generating power roughly equal to the annual consumption of the nearby town of Rennes, which has a population of 200,000. 

Like wave and OTEC power plants, one of the main barriers to the increased use of tidal energy is the initial cost of building tidal-generating stations. It has been estimated that the construction of the proposed facility on the Severn River in England would have a construction cost of 15 billion. 

Tidal Energy A source of power derived from the movement of waves. Tidal energy traditionally involves erecting a dam across the opening to a tidal basin. The dam includes a sluice that is opened to allow the tide to flow into the basin the sluice is then closed, and as the sea level drops, traditional hydropower technologies can be used to generate electricity from the elevated water in the basin. 

In a traditional tidal energy plant, a dam is constructed that captures tides as they flow inward. When the tide goes out, water behind the dam is released which powers a turbine in a manner similar to traditional hydroelectric power generation. These systems work best when there is a dramatic difference, at least 16 feet, between low tide and high tide. 

The use of tidal energy, estimated at some 4 X i O J per armum at liiown tidal sites, dates back to medieval tidal mills. Modern tidal power stations use specially designed turbines, operated by tidd waters, to drive generators. 

Wood, K. (2010), Composites-enabled tidal stream energy projects lead the way as new forms of hydrokinetic power generation move towards commercialization , Composites Technology, Composites World, 30 September 2010. 

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