text: # How much energy does an average tidal power generator produce?
  
  • Asked By guest
  • Asked on November 20, 2009
  
   Example calculation of tidal power generation
  Assumptions:
  
  Let us assume that the tidal range of tide at a particular place is 32 feet = 10 m (approx)
  The surface of the tidal energy harnessing plant is 9 km² (3 km × 3 km)= 3000 m × 3000 m = 9 × 106 m2
  Density of sea water = 1025.18 kg/m3
  Mass of the sea water = volume of sea water × density of sea water
  
  = (area × tidal range) of water × mass density
  = (9 × 106 m2 × 10 m) × 1025.18 kg/m3
  = 92 × 109 kg (approx)
  Potential energy content of the water in the basin at high tide = ½ × area × density × gravitational acceleration × tidal range squared
  
  = ½ × 9 × 106 m2 × 1025 kg/m3 × 9.81 m/s2 × (10 m)2
  =4.5 × 1012 J (approx)
  Now we have 2 high tides and 2 low tides every day. At low tide the potential energy is zero.
  Therefore the total energy potential per day = Energy for a single high tide × 2
  
  = 4.5 × 1012 J × 2
  = 9 × 1012 J
  Therefore, the mean power generation potential = Energy generation potential / time in 1 day
  
  = 9 × 1012 J / 86400 s
  = 104 MW
  Assuming the power conversion efficiency to be 30%: The daily-average power generated = 104 MW * 30% / 100%
  
  = 31 MW (approx)
  A barrage is best placed in a location with very high-amplitude tides. Suitable locations are found in Russia, USA, Canada, Australia, Korea, the UK. Amplitudes of up to 17 m (56 ft) occur for example in the Bay of Fundy, where tidal resonance amplifies the tidal range.
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