Tidal energy has been used for centuries. Tidal current and rise and fall of tides were both put to work. They provided power for flour mills, saw mills, breweries, etc. Tide mills dotted several regions of Europe from The Netherlands to Spain and from Wales to England. Immigrants brought the technique to the "New World" to the United States and Canada. But they could not withstand the development of more efficient power production and faded away. Though some subsisted well into the 20th century, most of those still in existence offer mainly a tourist interest. However, they may well be considered the forerunners of the power-generating tidal power stations. These are not numerous-except mini plants in China-but with the price of oil soaring a renewed interest as developed. Of all existing stations, the Kislaya Guba station has not the largest; but the only one completely built by women, and it celebrates this year its 40th birthday. |
