Tidal Barrages

Question 1

What are tidal barrages?

Answer 1

Big dams built across river estuaries with turbines in them.

Question 2

How do tidal barrages work?

Answer 2

As the tide comes in it fills up the estuary. The water is then allowed out the the turbines at a controlled speed.

Question 3

How are tides produced?

Answer 3

By the gravitational pull of the sun and moon

Question 4

Disadvantages of tidal barrages?

Answer 4

.no pollution
. pretty reliable (tides happen twice a day without fail) and always near to predicted height
. no fuel costs and minimal running costs
. though it can only be used in some of the most suitable estuaries tidal power has the potential for generating a significant amount of energy

Question 5

Advantages of tidal barrages?

Answer 5

. prevent free access by boats
.spoil view
.alter habitat of wildlife
. height of tides is variable so lower (neap) tides provide significantly less energy than bigger (spring) tides
. don’t work when water level is same either side of barrage - this happens 4x a day cos of the tides
.moderately high initial costs