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Tidal energy is generated by the relative motion of the Earth, Sun and the Moon. Periodic changes of water levels, and tidal currents, are due to the gravitational attraction by the Sun and Moon. The magnitude of the tide at a location is the result of the changing positions of the Moon and Sun relative to the Earth, the effects of Earth's rotation, and the local shape of the sea floor and coastlines.
Tidal power is only viable if the area has a large difference between high and low tides.
Tidal power is inexhaustable because tides are always occuring.
* Tidal power is free once the dam is built, because the maintenance costs associated with running a tidal plant are relatively inexpensive. * Tides are very reliable because it is easy to predict when high and low tides will occur. The tide goes in and out twice a day usually at the predicted times. This makes tidal energy easy to maintain, and the differences in energy can be managed.
Pros
*Tidal power is not currently economically suitable, because the initial costs of building a dam are tremendous (4.5 to 15 billion dollars). Furthermore, it only provides power for around 10 hours each day, when the tide is moving in or out of the basin. *Construction can affect the transportation system in water. Boats may not be able to cross the dam, and commercial ships, used for transport or fishery, need to find alternative routes or costly systems to go through the dam. *The environment around the dam can be negatively affected. * Maximum energy production is limited to 2.5 terawatts. This is the total amount of tidal dissipation or the friction measured by the slowing of the lunar orbit.
Cons
