Tidal Power – Coastal Areas.

In 1980 my wife any I honeymooned in Bermuda. We stayed in a town named Flatts that was between the ocean and a large inland sound – Huntington Sound.

If one looks carefully at the map below one can see that Huntington Sound drains into the ocean through a narrow channel on the Western side of the Island.

We observed that when the tide went in or out the water in the channel moved  very rapidly. This is explained by the fact that the large Sound drains quickly through a small channel – i.e. the velocity of the water must be fast enough to drain the Sound.

If a portion of the channel – either to the side – or below a certain depth where fitted with an in-water turbine significant power could be generated.

This Sound is a natural formation – but there is no reason that man made versions of this couldn’t be constructed all along the coast line. This would offer the following advantages (in addition to providing

clean tidal power):

• it would create a natural buffer against erosion and storm damage
• it would create a sheltered environment for boats and marine activity
• it would foster the growth of marsh species.

It is easy to imagine the problems associated with this idea – especially property rights and maintenance of the system. However there advantages would be great.

Is anyone aware of a system likes this? Are there problems that I have not mentioned?