difference between tidal stream and current

On the contrary, high water (HW) and low water (LW) are well defined. As a adjective current is Tidal stream devices operate in arrays, similar to wind turbines. Tidal stream (or current) technologies capture the kinetic energy of currents flowing in and out of tidal areas (such as seashores). It soon becomes clear that the cause of the water’s horizontal flow changed over the three hours of your friends’ animated debate. And knowing how fast water is moving—and in what direction—is important for anyone involved in water-related activities. But these two examples, whilst possible causes of ambiguity or confusion, are really only minor considerations. The technical resource potential for generation is estimated to range between 222–334 TWh/year. If the horizontal flow is caused by tidal factors – ie. And it’s the eddying effect that causes the rip tide. There are no instances I am aware of where the expression ‘tidal stream’ will give any more detail or insight into a situation than the expression ‘tidal current’. “It was a current all along.” (US view). Waves are somewhat more noticeable than tides and currents while tides can often be seen on the shore. There are currents in every lake, river, stream or brook; even in bodies of water that seem to be sitting perfectly still, because there is always a change in temperature which always causes water to move also. If it is caused by wind or thermohaline factors, it is typically known simply as a current, or an ocean current, or if it is very large and influential, it may be given its own name, like the ‘Labrador Current’. Ocean thermal energy is generated by converting the temperature difference between the ocean’s surface water and deeper water into energy. One of the reasons why I’m against the use of the term ‘tidal streams’ is that I think it is unnecessary. The moon's gravitational pull forces the ocean to bulge outwards on opposite sides of the earth, which cau… The second highest range is in the Severn Estuary in the UK; this can be as much as 50ft (15m) with a tidal stream of up to 8 knots. It distinguishes itself from other services by offering lossless streaming if you go all-in with a Tidal HiFi membership. Currents (and eddies for that matter) also occur in all other bodies of water, whereas tides do not. In large parts of the world, including much of the US nautical establishment, currents at sea can be caused by three things: wind, thermohaline (temperature/salt) imbalances and the tide. But it's dominance is increasingly under threat and rivals fight for a piece of its pie. To my mind, neither of these views are right or wrong, it is a question of semantics and tradition. Sea water is 832 times denser than air and so a 5 knot ocean current has more kinetic energy than a 350 km/h wind. The process is similar to those of wind turbines extracting energy from the air movement. The tides' influence on current flow is much more difficult to analyse, and data is much more difficult to collect. Each volume of Tidal Stream Atlases includes: Pictorial representations of tidal stream directions for each hour before and after the reference port. Water moves from this one place, to that other place. Some Thoughts on the difference between the terms. It is clear that the water below the boat is not stationary, it is flowing beneath you and carrying your boat very slowly with it. The theoretical resource potential for generation from tidal resources is estimated to be 445 TWh/year. When out to sea your skipper cuts the engine and you drop the long weighted lines in hope of a sumptuous fresh fish supper. That’s the tide. 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