How to make electricity with the tides

Every 12 hours and 25 minutes, the sea rises, then falls again under the lunar and solar attractions combined with the rotation of the earth. This is the principle of the tides. The tides or more exactly the tidal range make it possible to produce electricity. The tidal range of the water is the difference between the high tide and the low tide. The power of the currents thus created during the ascents and descents of the sea generates kinetic energy which is captured by turbines. Then the turbines exploit this kinetic energy by producing potential energy, then electricity.

There is only one tidal power plant in France. The Rance factory. Built in 1966, it was for a long time the most powerful in the world. Thanks to it, Brittany was able to reduce its electricity imports. Today, the Rance tidal power plant is one of 13 existing tidal power plants in the world. In fact, to produce electricity using the tides, you need places conducive to strong tidal range.

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