The ocean's tides are a powerful natural phenomenon. Here in Maine, tidal fluctuations of 10 feet are not uncommon. In Eastern Maine and in The Bay of Fundy, Canada, tidal fluctuations approach 60 feet (18 meters). This mass of moving water represents a large amount of potential energy that could be harnessed and used to generate electricity on a large scale.  In many places, tidal turbines are the solution to capturing this energy. Operating much like wind turbines, these turbines are placed in tight ocean passages, where the vertical tidal fluctuation is translated into high velocity currents due to the restrictions of the coastal geography.
 
Our task is to design and test model tidal turbines that can be easily replicated, allowing us to generate performance data which can be made public and confirmed by others.  Making our research available to everyone should help organizations everywhere to better harness this clean source of energy, and our designs could possibly be used as a quality baseline for this emerging industry.

Our models will be tested using a tow tank here on campus with a system designed by our partner group in this project.  In addition, we will be pooling resources with students and professors at MMA and MIT to complete our designs.

In November, Maine State Senator Peter Mills visited the University of Maine and came to Crosby Laboratory to learn about potential sources of alternative energy.  Along with our partner group, we prepared a short presentation to demonstrate the potential for tidal turbines in Maine, and to explain the scope of our senior project.