Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
In a tidal turbine, the force of a tidal current causes turbines to spin, helping to
generate electricity.
irst large tidal-power barrage began operating in France in
1966. Tidal barrages are not very common. In fact, only one
other tidal barrage is currently used. They may harm plants and
animals that live near them.
Scientists have found other places where tidal power can
be used. Turbines can be lined up below the water in a row.
They create what is called a tidal “fence.” A fence can be used
to connect two land areas and serve as the base of a bridge
for cars and trucks. Openings between the turbines let ish
swim by. (A tidal barrage often prevents ish from swimming in
and out of a bay.) More recently, engineers have placed single
turbines directly on the ocean loor. The turbines look like the
