Take into consideration the impact on our eco system; ships coming into harbors; recreation, etc. Please think your answers through. I realize this is a far out question, but if it turns out to be feasible, it would provide a necessary service to humanity at a very low cost forever, after construction.
Please be serious in your answers. Thanks
2007-06-01 05:12:12 · 8 answers · asked by ? 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Yes, see link for more info
2007-06-01 05:18:34 · answer #1 · answered by Curtis C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are working on such a project right now in the Bay of Fundy using under-sea technology for harvesting the power of the tides without disruption to ocean currents.
2007-06-01 16:45:52 · answer #2 · answered by paradox_96_98 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do what you like in the name of Enviro-whinerism and government subsidies. Only two problems are evident in this case:
1) Tides are powered by the moon's orbit through a quadrupolar interaction. If you extract energy from tides it comes from the moon's kinetic energy. The moon's orbit will spiral outward.
2) Altering tidal resonances shifts the slosh. Putting a tidal generator dam acros the Bay of Fundy would swamp northeastern US inlets and ports.
http://www.thehopewellrocks.ca/images/tidalmapsm.jpg
http://plato.acadiau.ca/courses/comp/dsilver/fundy2.jpg
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images_topic.php3?topic=oceans&img_id=17305
An advocate makes virtue of failure. The worse the cure the better the treatment - and the more that is required.
2007-06-01 12:22:59 · answer #3 · answered by Uncle Al 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are no shortage of suitable sites for making tidal energy. Plenty of rivers could be blocked off for this purpose. The energy is certainly clean and renewable....well almost, it will help to push the moon into a slower, bigger orbit so it runs out eventually.
However for the delicate tidal areas around river mouths the plants and animals are going to be severely disrupted. All the estuary life will be endangered.
2007-06-01 12:17:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is feasible and by the way there are existing power plants
using the tides in both senses,when it is up and when it comes down,reversing the turbines
Ex. La Rance in France
2007-06-01 15:13:47 · answer #5 · answered by santmann2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the japanese have a power generating system in place and running using tide changes and water movements in the sea of japan.
2007-06-08 21:34:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are already such things in place in some places in the world.
2007-06-01 12:15:33 · answer #7 · answered by Michael S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
FEASIBLE TECHNICALLY BUT ECONOMICS PRESENTLY IS NOT BRIGHT FOR SUCH PROJECTS OF SMALL CAPACITY. PROSPECT MAY IMPROVE IN FUTURE.
2007-06-07 09:00:36 · answer #8 · answered by Swapan G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋