Tidal Energy: Non-conventional Sources of Energy

Tidal energy relies on the difference in height (or the tidal range) between high and low tides over a given time period. The larger the difference in height, or tidal range, is, the more potential energy can be harnessed to produce electricity.

Although tidal power will never be a major source of electricity generation, there are specific locations with an extremely high tidal range that could provide a substantial amount of renewable energy.

Tidal energy is created using the movement of our tides and oceans, where the intensity of the water from the rise and fall of tides is a form of kinetic energy. Tidal power surrounds gravitational hydropower, which uses the movement of water to push a turbine to generate electricity.

Tidal power is a type of hydropower that converts the energy in moving tidal waters into electricity. Although tidal power represents a small percentage of total global power generation, this could change significantly in years to come.