(i) Tidal energy: The energy possessed by rising and falling water in tides is known as tidal energy.Dams are constructed across a narrow opening to the sea to harness tidal energy and produce electricity. However, it is not a major source of energy as the rise and fall of seawater during tides is not enough to generate electricity on a large scale.
(ii) Ocean energy: Water in the oceans possesses energy in two forms:
(a) Ocean thermal energy- The energy available due to the difference in temperature of water at the surface and at deeper levels of ocean is called the ocean thermal energy. This energy is harnessed for producing electricity by a device called ocean thermal energy conversion power plant (OCTEC power plant).
(b) Oceanic waves energy- The kinetic energy possessed by fast moving oceanic (or sea) waves is called oceanic waves energy. Though models have been made to generate electricity from oceanic waves, but so far it has not been put to practical use.
(iii) Geo thermal energy: The heat energy possessed by the rocks inside the Earth is called geothermal energy.
The hot rocks present at the hot spots deep inside the Earth, heat the underground water and turn it into steam. This steam is compressed at high pressure between the rocks. Holes are drilled deep into the Earth up to the hot spots to extract the steam through pipes, which is utilized to rotate the turbines connected to the armature of an electric generator to produce electricity.
