Definition of the Subject
Tidal energy, as interpreted in this essay, is considered to be the artificial extraction of energy from: either the rise or fall of the sea surface under the influence of tides or the extraction of energy from tidally driven currents. The associated theoretical energy resources are considerable on a global scale, but the geographic conditions necessary for significant tidal ranges, or current velocities, do tend to be restricted to a relatively small number of sites worldwide. Some of the most attractive tidal range sites, however, such as the Severn Estuary, between England and Wales, and the Bay of Fundy in Canada possess very considerable energy flux densities. Similarly, the most energetic tidal currents, such as in the Pentland Firth, to the north of the Scottish mainland, would also appear to offer major prospects for development.
Although there has been considerable progress in recent years toward the commercial exploitation of the tides for energy,...
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Abbreviations
- Barrage:
-
An artificial barrier, usually constructed across an estuary, designed to maintain different water levels on either side.
- Ebb tide:
-
The stage of a tide in which the water depth is reducing.
- Flood tide:
-
The stage of a tide in which the water depth is increasing.
- Neap tide:
-
Smaller fortnightly tides falling between the spring tides.
- Spring tide:
-
Large fortnightly tides, resulting from the Earth, Sun, and Moon being approximately in line.
- Tidal basin:
-
The area of water behind a tidal barrage.
- Tidal currents:
-
Water currents resulting from tidal action.
- Tidal stream:
-
A tidal current which has been accelerated as a result of the natural geography.
- Tides:
-
The response of the world’s seas and oceans to the influences of the Moon and the Sun relative to the Earth.
- Turbine:
-
A mechanical system in which energy in a moving fluid is transferred to a rotating system.
Bibliography
Bearman G (ed) (1997) Waves, tides and shallow water processes. The Open University, Milton Keynes
Banal M, Bichon A (1981) Tidal energy in France. The Rance tidal power station-some results after 15 years in operation. In: Proceedings of the second international symposium on wave and tidal energy, Cambridge
Boyle G (ed) (1996) Renewable energy. The Open University, Milton Keynes
“Severn Barrage Scheme”, Hansard, 4th February 1926
Norris J, Bryden I (2007) The European marine energy centre (EMEC): facilities and resources. Proc Inst Civil Eng 160(2):51–58. doi:10.1680/ener.2007.160.2.51
www.thecrownestate.co.uk/newscontent/92-round-1-pentland-firth.htm
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this entry
Cite this entry
Bryden, I.G. (2013). Tidal Energy. In: Kaltschmitt, M., Themelis, N.J., Bronicki, L.Y., Söder, L., Vega, L.A. (eds) Renewable Energy Systems. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5820-3_700
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5820-3_700
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-5819-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-5820-3
eBook Packages: EnergyReference Module Computer Science and Engineering