What is tidal energy or tidal stream energy?
Today’s tidal stream projects differ from earlier concepts such as the 40 year old Rance Tidal Power Plant in France, which utilize a barrage to trap and release tidal flows. Tidal projects under development in the United States today do not rely on impoundments, and instead operate on a concept very similar to wind, with a tidal stream rather than wind driving turbines submersed in water. At present, Verdant Power has deployed the first of six tidal turbines in the East River which is generating electricity. Other companies developing tidal technologies include Marine Current Turbines, Open Hydro and Ocean Renewable Power Company.
