Tidal Barrage - How Electricity is Produced Using Tidal Energy

A barrage tidal plant extracts power from the sea and consists of a concrete barrier built across a river estuary. Contained within the barrage are sluice gates, turbine generators and normally a set of locks which allow ships and small craft access to the area behind the dam. The sluice gates which can be opened and closed allow seawater from the flood tide to flow into the tidal basin behind the barrage. The turbine generators control gates are then opened allowing the head of water contained behind the barrage to flow through them driving the turbine and generators. These generate power from the sea for two five hour bursts every twenty four hours, in sequence with the flood and ebb tides.