Electricity Generation by the Tidal Barrages

Abstract Concern over global climate change has led policy makers to accept the importance of reducing Greenhouse gas emissions. A tidal barrage utilizes the potential energy of the tide and has proven to be very successful, despite opposition from environmental groups. Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy of the tides. A tidal barrage is typically a dam, built across a bay or estuary that experiences a tidal range in excess of 5 m. Electricity generation from tidal barrages employs the same principles as hydroelectric generation, except that tidal currents flow in both directions. A typical tidal barrage consists of turbines, sluice gates, embankments and ship locks. The turbines that are used in tidal barrages are either unidirectional or bi-directional, and include bulb turbines, straflo or rim turbines and tubular turbines. Tidal barrages can be broken into two types: single-basin systems and double-basin systems. This paper discussed about the tidal barrage, wave energy, environmental impacts and special conditions in there process