Tidal Power

The TheoryTidal waves are influenced by a

combination of lunar gravitational pull and changes in weather patterns.

This is why waves tend to be higher at night; the moon is intricately involved in the tidal movements.

The force and directional movements of tides are harnessed through hydroelectric pumps, which use existing electrical grids to power consumer appliances such as lights, outlets, and possibly electrically powered vehicles.

The Cost of Tidal PowerThe exact cost to construct tidal energy

convertors is difficult to estimate.There are many of factors to keep in mind,

such as: Location, size of waves, distance to consumers, and

the size of the work force.

Technology for tidal energy is well developed, however it is not used as much as it could be. This is because it can take as long as 10 years to construct a fully operational tidal power plant.

Types of Tidal Energy ConvertorsDams are need to reserve the water for

continuous energy flowGates and turbines are where the water

passes to generate energyAn electric generator I needed to turn kinetic

motion into electrical energyFinally, power lines are needed to transport

the energy to consumer locations

Question 1: What is the USA/NY investment in tidal power? Why should NY/USA invest in Tidal Power?Currently, there are no ocean based tidal power plants in the USA.Departments of Energy and Interior Announce $26.6 Million in

Funding to Develop Advanced Hydropower TechnologiesHydroelectric technologies make up 7.1% of the technologies used

for electricity in America and 19% of global technologies usedThere are currently a little over 850 hydroelectric plants in the

United StatesThere are 9 fully-operational hydroelectric power plants in New

YorkNew York should invest in tidal power because the Hudson and

Mohawk rivers have lots of potential for funneling the current into a turbine that can power a generator. There is also a long coastline along Long Island that can use tidal power converters

The US should invest in tidal power because there are lots of powerful national rivers such as the Mississippi and Colorado rivers as well as having lots of coastline (Atlantic, gulf of Mexico, pacific, and Alaskan coastline)

New York and the USA also have the technological advancements in place that would make tidal power more profitable more quickly than some other types of alternative power.

ADVANTAGES· It is very cheap to maintain· There is no waste or pollution· Very reliable· We can predict when tides will be in or out· The barrage can help to reduce the damage of very high tidal surges or storms on   the land

Can create more jobs

DisadvantagesIt changes the coastline completely and the estuaries are

flooded so any mud flats   or habitats that birds or animals live on are destroyed

Initial building cost is very expensiveWater is not replenished, it cannot flow away so any dirt or

pollution lingers around   the coast much longerSilt builds up behind the barrageDisrupts creatures’ migration in the oceansNeeds a very big piece of sea to be cost effectiveNot many sites suitable for this kind of power generation;

building the barrageOnly produces power for about 10 hours of the dayTaxes might go up due to public works on maintaining the

plants

The Mechanical Sea SnakeThe module exploits both horizontal and

vertical motion.This motion caused by waves forces pistons

that power a hydraulic motor.The pistons also push a biodegradable fluid

through accumulators, smoothing the flow and turning of the hydraulic motors.

The motors are driving generators that are creating electricity.

Tidal PlantsCurrently no tidal plants in use, however the production of

a plant is underway in New York CityA 10-year contract for the plant, called the Roosevelt Island

Tidal Energy (RITE) Project, was signedBy the end of the year, 5 turbines should be installed in the

East RiverThe license is a pilot license, so the environmental effects

and “commercial feasibility” of the project can be demonstrated

30 generators should be installed by 2015At the conclusion of the project, the plant should be

supplying power to about ten thousand New YorkersFirst grid-connected system of tidal turbines

Works cited"Verdant Power." Verdant Power. N.p., n.d. Web. 16

Apr. 2012. <http://verdantpower.com/what-initiative/>.

Dailey, Jessica. "Verdant Power Awarded License For East River Tidal Energy Project | Inhabitat New York City." Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2012. <http://inhabitat.com/nyc/verdant-power- awarded-license-for-east-river-tidal-energy- project/>.

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