TIDAL POWER--AN INTRODUCTION

This is a good introduction to the idea of getting energy from tides:

-The tide moves a huge amount of water twice each day, and harnessing it could provide a great deal of energy - around 20% of Britain's needs.

-A huge dam (called a "barrage") is built across a river estuary. When the tide goes in and out, the water flows through tunnels in the dam.

-The ebb and flow of the tides can be used to turn a turbine, or it can be used to push air through a pipe, which then turns a turbine. Large lock gates, like the ones used on canals, allow ships to pass.

-Another option is to use offshore turbines, rather like an underwater wind farm.

How about this? The world's largest tidal power plant:

-Sihung City, South Korea [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Plans are well underway for a tidal energy power plant off the South Korean coast that developers say will be the largest such project in the world. Known as the Sihwa Tidal Power Plant, the project would generate 260 MW from the constant flow of water in and out of a seaside bay.

-The project will consist of a powerhouse for 10 "bulb-type" turbines with direct driven generators including gates and other equipment. The output of each turbine and generator will be 26 MW (total 260 MW installed capacity).

This is a 2005 story indicating the plant was scheduled to open in 2009. Good indication of time frame for a technology revolution (as in "the wheel in the sky keeps on turning") so we must check in to see where we are this year. Hope those No. Korean missles didn't accidentally hit it.