Hydroelectric and tidal power stations make use of the gravitational potential energy transferred when water flows downhill.
A tidal power station covering an area of 100km2 could trap 6 × 108m3 of water a day. If this drops through a height of 1m then the energy generated is 6 × 1012 J or about 280MW over 6hours.A hydroelectric power station releases less water per second but the height drop is 500m over an area of 1000km2 which would transfer about 500MW.
A tidal power station covering an area of 100km2 could trap 6 × 108m3 of water a day. If this drops through a height of 1m then the energy generated is 6 × 1012 J or about 280MW over 6hours.A hydroelectric power station releases less water per second but the height drop is 500m over an area of 1000km2 which would transfer about 500MW.