Lesson: Tidal Power Physics

Students will be able to

• recall the basic energy transfers that take place in tidal barrages (gravitational potential energy of the water kinetic energy of the turbine electrical energy from the generator),
• recall that tidal barrages produce alternating current,
• recall the advantages of tidal barrages:
  • once built, no , methane, or other pollutants are released into the environment,
  • there are no fuel costs,
  • tides are highly predictable, so the energy output of a tidal barrage is highly predictable and therefore reliable,
• recall the disadvantages of tidal barrages:
  • can alter the habitat for wetland wildlife,
  • there are only a few locations where they can be built (best built on estuaries that start very wide and become narrow very quickly),
  • they only generate electricity at certain times of the day,
• recall the basic idea of how a barrage works:
  • the tides raise the level of the water on one side,
  • the sluice gates are opened to let the water through the turbines,
  • the water level equalizes on either side of the barrage,
  • the sluice gates are closed,
  • the water level drops on the first side of the barrage again,
• do basic power and energy calculations using .