Tidal energy

Tidal energy refers to power generated by tapping the sea water. This is rather a new technology that is yet to gain popularity in the developing countries. However the Scandinavian countries have harnessed tidal energy to the optimum and producing power to add strength to the national grid. This is a new concept under which sea water is used to generate power. There are two methodologies to harness solar power. The first is based on high tides and low tides. Mini dams are built all along the sea coast to retain water during high tide. The power production follows the basic principles of hydro power generation. However, unlike hydro power projects, which use fresh water to run turbines, the tidal energy projects use marine sea water.

The water stored in the dams along the sea coast is made to flow at great speeds to run the turbines during low tide period. The fast running turbines generate electricity through magnetism. The power is then transmitted to the national grid. The second methodology employs submerged turbines to produce electricity. Turbines linked to huge fans are submerged under fast moving water. The flow makes the fans turn, which in turn run the turbines. The turbines generate electricity through magnetism and the same is transmitted to the national grid. Since the tidal energy projects require huge investments, initially, the governments manage the tidal energy projects. Besides, since the tidal energy projects need public sites, they are yet to witness private participation in a big way.