How Does Tidal Energy Work?


The tidal power works like a hydroelectric except that the dam is much bigger. Tidal barrages are built across a river estuary and when the tide goes in and out, the water flows through tunnels in the dam which move the turbines. The largest tidal power station in the world is in the Rance estuary in northern France, near St. Malo and was built in 1966.
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How Does Tidal Energy Work?
Twice every day there is a natural event that happens with the ocean called the tide. This event moves incredible amounts of water and in the process can create a large amount of power.... More »
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Tidal energy works because the force of the ebb and flow of the tide can power a turbine. To harness this energy, a large dam is built across a river estuary. As the tide goes in and out, water flows through tunnels in the dam. You can find more information here:
Q&A Related to "How Does Tidal Energy Work"
Tidal energy is not being used widely now, but there is hope to use it to produce electricity. The goal is to reduce the impact other electricity sources have on the environment.
Humans have been drawing power from the tides since the 8th century A.D. Although the early tide mills did not produce electricity, the principles can be adapted for generating electricity
In the form of waves and ocean currents.
( ′tīd·əl ′en·ər·jē ) (oceanography) The energy in a tide flowing from a basin into an open sea.
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