Five facts you need to know about biomass energy

Tidal energy can be defined as renewable energy generated by the natural movements of ocean tides and currents. To harness the energy of the tides, generators convert the constant movements of water into electricity. The industry harnesses tidal energy from three main sources: tidal streams, barrages, and tidal lagoons.

A tidal stream is a rapidly flowing body of water created naturally by tides. A turbine is carefully placed in the tidal stream, ensuring the machine itself does not disrupt the flow of water it is trying to capture. Once in place, the flow of water turns the turbine blades, which in turn generates electricity. Unlike wind and waves, tides are predictable and reliable, so once these generators are in place, they can produce a steady and dependable stream of electricity.

A barrage is an artificial barrier across a river or dam, which allows water to spill to a lower level in a controlled manner through turbines. As the water flows through the turbines, electricity is generated. While barrages offer the advantage of a greater level of control, they are more expensive to build and run, and have a higher impact on the environment.

A tidal lagoon is a body of ocean water that is partially enclosed by either a natural or manmade barrier. A generator in a tidal lagoon functions much like a barrage. However, tidal lagoons differ from barrages in that they can be constructed (or naturally occur) along the coastline. The environmental impact of tidal lagoons is minimal, however the energy output from generators in tidal lagoons is also likely to be low.