WO2011005100A1

WO2011005100A1 - Method and apparatus for producing tidal energy, and applications thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2011005100A1
Application number: PCT/NO2009/000258
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rolf Eriksen
Original assignee: Rolf Eriksen
Priority date: 2009-07-10
Filing date: 2009-07-10
Publication date: 2011-01-13

Abstract

A method is described for generation of energy from a flow of water, in which a rotational body rotates or turns and drives a generator for the production of said energy, and the method is characterised in that through a connection (104) arranged through a landmass (S) that defines a divide between two ocean areas (A,B) with different tidal water cycles, a water stream is provided as a consequence of the different levels between the two ocean areas (A,B), and said rotational body is set up in the flow of water to provide said energy.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING TIDAL ENERGY, AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF

The present invention relates to a method for production of energy from a stream of water, in which a rotational body rotates or turns and drives a generator for production of said energy, as given in claim 1. The invention also relates to an apparatus for production of energy. Furthermore, the invention also relates to applications as described in claim 6.

Introduction.

The use of energy is increasing sharply both nationally and globally. A continued growth in production of energy is a significant factor for further economic development of the global society. At the same time, the threat of climatic changes with global warming as a result has become generally accepted. Therefore, it is particularly important to increase the percentage of renewable energy of the total energy consumption.

The aim of the present patent application is to be able to use a new source of production of renewable, electric energy. The ocean regions of the world represent enormous amounts of energy. To use existing tidal and ocean currents for production of electricity is well known, by placing waterwheels, water turbines and the like, directly into a tidal stream that is pulsing back and forth, and in many different ways. The present invention has a completely different starting point. The present invention aims to utilise the power potential in the tidal wave that is transmitted around the globe in a way which has not been proposed previously: When the tidal wave meets land formation, permanent time disturbances in the tidal wave and/or permanent changes in the tidal pattern arise. Such permanent changes in the vertical movement pattern of the body of water can be used for generation of power by a technically constructed horizontal connection through the land mass between the water bodies.

It is old knowledge that water in motion can be used to carry out mechanical work. The principle is that water from one contour height is led via a duct or pipe to a paddle wheel at a lower contour height. There are many versions of the principle, but the basis is always the same; the force of gravity drives the paddle wheel by setting the water in motion. The movement of the paddle wheel is then transferred via the shaft to drive mills, machines or as is common today; to drive turbines with a generator that generates electricity. The first use of water-driven paddle wheels took place in India 400 BC. This new development spread to other regions and was established in the Greek-Roman cultural region by 100 BC.

Paddle wheels driven by the tide have a shorter history. The oldest version is an indirect use of the tidal water. A dyke with a lock gate is established in the tidal zone. At high tides water runs into the dyke via the lock. The lock gate is automatically shut when the tide turns. When the water difference is large enough, the stored water is released through a duct and this drives the paddle wheel. The oldest find of such tide mills was made at Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland and dated to 787 AD.

The first paddle wheel driven directly by natural tidal streams was built in Bergen, Norway in 1599. In the tidal stream between the Lungegards Lakes and the Puddefjord (in Bergen, Norway) a paddle wheel and a mill were constructed on a bulwark. Walls led the tidal water into the water duct that drove the paddle wheel. The principle was so sensational that the Danish-Norwegian king Christians IV, travelled from Copenhagen to Bergen the same year to study the installation. In relation to this historical connection, the aim of the present invention is to use paddle wheels in a water duct for the operation of electricity generators. With the present invention, this ancient principle is put in a completely new and epoch making connection.

Modem tidal power stations also build further on the principles from the two historical main types that are described above:

o Tidal water mills are lowered down into natural ocean currents/tidal currents and the system utilises the kinetic energy from water in motion to drive power turbines in the same way as modern windmills utilise wind (Hammerfest,

2002)

o The damming up catches the potential energy in the height difference between high and low tides. The stored water is led through turbines. An example of this type of tidal power station is La Ranch (1966) in France.

The present invention has nothing in common with the two above mentioned systems. Instead, one aims to create new, artificial, tidal streams in water ducts inside tunnels or tunnels/pipes. These artificial streams of water can be calculated and controlled, they can be used in their entire length and, for example, be maintained on dry land inside a rocky ground.

Prior art.

With regard to prior art, reference on this occasion shall be made to the Japanese publication JP-2000018146, the British patent GB-2298004, the French patents FR- 2309671 and FR-1337074 and also the US patent US 2003/0192308.

Some of these publications will be discussed in more detail below. The Japanese publication JP2000018146 is based on tidal water being led into a low-lying sea and then back out again, and particularly both at the Mexican east coast and at the Mexican west coast. It is possibly also suggested to connect a low-lying sea in South Mexico to both the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Water from the high tide in the Pacific Ocean can then be stored there and be released at low tide in the Gulf of Mexico.

The British publication GB-2298004 is based on a concrete location in the Orkneys, the Churchill Barrier, an artificial barrier built as a defence installation. There are different tidal patterns on each side of the barrier. It is a wish to utilise this by setting up a turbine. The patent also mentions other artificial barriers in the area where this can be set up. It is also mentioned that this can be set up with a natural, narrow isthmus. It is possible to generate electric energy by the use of the patent GB2298004 at these locations. In reality, this installation utilises only an obstructed tidal stream of water.

The technical solution that is described in the US patent application 2003/0192308 shall be used in connection with a relatively large bay with a large body of water, which is partially isolated from the sea/ocean by natural land masses, which can often be found at the inlet of a larger bay. In a such situation, the one water area will, because of the effect of the tide, have a greater water pressure than the other area at certain times during a normal, daily cycle. Consequently, there is a time delay in the levelling out of the water levels inside the bay and outside it and some time will lapse before the level difference is cancelled, something that results in that the water stream which arises through the passage into and out of the bay can be used by installing a turbine. According to this publication, it is suggested that the barrier ought to have a sufficient length to induce a time delay in the levelling out of said water levels as the tidal water falls and rises. It is indicated that a length of 1 kilometre is preferred. US-2003/0192308 has consequently a completely different phenomenological and theoretical basis that one aims to utilise with the present patent application.

With the present invention one aims to utilise that the natural phenomenon that landmasses and/or topography of the ocean bed can lead to a time displacement in an otherwise identical tidal pattern. This phase displacement leads to permanent differences in the tidal rhythms of the ocean areas on each side of said landmass. Thus, no levelling (equalisation) of the water masses occurs as indicated in the above mentioned US patent. On the contrary, the sine curves of the tidal water on each side of the landmasses are permanently displaced in relation to each other, as they intersect each other a short moment while the one mass of water continues to rise and the other falls.

Consequently, with the present patent application one aims to utilise the permanent cyclical level differences of an artificial tidal stream as a consequence of a wave- delaying landmass. This tidal stream will not turn at the mathematical high/low tides, but will have a short turning point at the time the two sine curves intersect, as shown by the example in Figure 3. o Landmasses and/or topography of the ocean bed can lead to permanently different tidal patterns in ocean areas on each side of the landmass. For this natural phenomenon, no equalisation of the masses of water will occur. On the contrary, at such phenomena the sine curves of the tidal water will be different on a permanent basis. An artificial tidal stream will not turn at a mathematical high/low tide, but when the sine curves intersect. It has been found that there are considerable differences from one location to another, but the differences for each location will always be permanent. For a few locations, an artificial tidal stream between two ocean areas will always flow in one direction. With the present invention one will utilise such permanent rhythmic differences between ocean levels for production of electricity by^" arranging a tunnel connection or a tunnel/pipe connection between them, as shown in figures 9 and 10. o In US2003/0192308 it is suggested that a length of at least one kilometre is preferred. The idea of the present invention does not support such preferences or limitations. On the contrary, the present invention can be used in all places where natural conditions de facto create either permanent time differences in the same tidal rhythm, where natural conditions create permanent different tidal patterns or where natural conditions create both permanent time differences in the tidal cycles and permanent different tidal patterns. Economic considerations will decide if the patent shall be applied in one location or not.

o US application 2003/0192308 concerns in reality only drainage of existing streams of tidal water.

The differences in technical solutions are obvious between the present invention and patent US2003/0192308.

The present invention.

The method according to the invention is characterised in that through a channel connection arranged between a landmass that defines a divide between two ocean areas with different tidal water cycles, a stream of water is provided as a consequence of the different ocean levels between the two ocean areas and leads to a phase displacement in the tidal water cycles of the ocean areas, and said rotational body is placed in the stream of water to provide said energy, as

an upwardly open channel is used, the upper level (102) of which lies above the astronomical high tide level of the two ocean areas (A-B; C-D), the bottom level (106) is lower than the mathematical low tide level of the two ocean areas. Preferred features are described in the subsequent method claims.

The apparatus according to the invention is characterised by the features that are given in the subsequent apparatus claim 6. According to another aspect of the invention a channel or pipe is arranged with a number of electricity generating turbines through a land mass.

According to the invention the tidal water difference that exists between two ocean areas that are separated by a landmass is used for the production of electric energy in that a rotational body is made to be driven by a stream of water that is set up in a connection between the ocean areas, for the operation of an electricity generator. At some places along the coast of the globe geographical and topographical conditions lead to ocean areas with different tidal water patterns and thus different ocean levels lying close to each other as the crow flies, but are separated from each other by landmasses. Such permanent changes in the vertical movement patterns of the water masses can be utilised for generation of power by a technically constructed horizontal connection through the landmass between the water masses.

Description of the invention in connection to the figures.

The invention shall now be explained in more detail with reference to the enclosed figures, in which

Figure 1A shows a first embodiment of the present invention where a permanent time displacement exists in the tidal water cycles between two ocean areas and which one wishes to utilise according to the invention and this tidal water cycle is illustrated in the Figures 3 and 4A-4B.

Figure 1B shows an outline of a fjord system where analogic tidal water differences that can be explored arise between two locations. Figure 2 shows a second preferred embodiment of the invention where a permanently different tidal water pattern exists between two ocean areas, as a constant different amplitude exists, as is shown in the figures 5 and 6.

The figures 7 and 8 show a situation where the landmasses create both a permanent time displacement of the tidal water cycle and a permanent different tidal water amplitude.

Figure 9 shows a preferred embodiment of an installation in the form of a pipe or a channel for the utilisation of energy that can be utilised in an area where two ocean areas are separated by a landmass S and where there are different tidal water cycles. Figure 10 shows a different embodiment of such an installation.

Figure 11 shows a cross section of a preferred embodiment of an installation for generation of energy.

Figure 12 shows the dimensions of the water duct.

Figure 13 shows a longitudinally running vertical section of an installation according to the invention, for generation of energy.

Figures 14 A₁B₁C show a preferred embodiment of an inlet funnel to the installation's water channel according to the invention.

As a way of introduction reference is made to figure 1A that shows two ocean areas A and B that are separated by a landmass which forms a natural barrier S. Said landmass can also, for example, comprise a subsea extended rock ridge that extends upwards towards the ocean surface without breaking the surface and will normally form a time displacement in the tidal water difference.

The ocean level differences can be characterised by: The landmasses S of the barrier and/or topography of the ocean bed lead to a permanent time displacement in the tidal cycle between the ocean areas A and B. The ocean bed is incidentally shown by the reference K. If the landmass, as mentioned above, also comprises a subsea rock ridge that extends up towards the ocean surface without breaking the surface - there will also be formed a time displacement of the tidal water cycle and, as a rule, also changes in the tidal pattern. With all such locations a natural tidal stream will appear. As an additional effect of the present invention, all natural tidal streams can also be used for the generation of electric energy. With the application of the invention at different locations the artificial tidal stream will, in reality, be a draining of the natural tidal stream. That is, the volume of water which flows through the artificial tidal stream drains the through-flow of the natural tidal stream with a corresponding volume of water.

According to the invention a tunnel connection is arranged, possibly a channel/pipe connection with a water duct, through the landmass/barrier S. The contour heights of the connection/channel must include contour limits for the mathematical high tide/low tide of the ocean bodies on both sides of the barrier, plus specified additions.

The application of the invention at these locations creates new, calculable and controllable artificial tidal streams that can be used for industrial production of renewable electric power. Already more than 50 locations have been mapped around the globe where the invention can be used for the generation of electric power. Together, these locations have a potential to generate vast amounts of electric energy with the application of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in general in figure 1A. The symbol H in the figure is the given astronomical high tide while L indicates astronomical low tide. These dimensions are approximately identical for the ocean areas A and B on either side of the natural barrier S. The ocean areas A and B have different levels because topographical conditions create a permanent phase displacement in the tidal pattern between A and B. A typical location for this variant is shown in figure 1 B. A fjord area is shown with two fjord systems A and B separated by a land mass 0. Between the two fjord bottoms is a short stretch of a landmass S, which, for example, connects the mainland to a larger peninsula 0. When the tidal wave comes towards land as shown by the arrows F, it uses a longer time to reach the bottom of the fjord B than the bottom of the fjord A. Thus, there will be a permanent level difference between the two systems which can be utilised. The landmass S can be a low and easily passable neck of land or a tall mountain ridge through which a tunnel can be drilled to utilise the invention. Figure 4A shows the sine curves for the tidal water cycle at the two areas A₁B seen over a period of 24 hours, and denoted "Location 12/51". Figure 4B shows an enlarged section of the sine curves for the tidal cycle for the two areas combined. The distance HL gives (in metres) the astronomical difference between high and low tide. The X-axis gives a time scale for a 24 hour period from 00.00 to 24.00. The size of FG is the phase difference in time between the tidal water movements in the ocean areas A and B. The distance EK is the phase difference expressed in meters (0.21 m = 21 cm). The size of EK is in relation to HL and to FG.

The direction of the stream of water is indicated in figures 4A and 4B with the direction of the hatching in the areas between the sine curves, i.e. that the direction of the hatching informs how the artificial stream of water varies in size and direction. The hatched areas express also what energy potential lies in the tidal stream. It is the size of FG that forms the energy potential. Given a GF, the size of HL is significant for EK and thus the energy potential of the individual project.

In such artificial tidal streams, the direction of the water will not change at H or L, but the time of change is decided by the size of FG. It can be seen that for this location, this change occurs at about 06.00 (in the morning). The simultaneous difference in the tidal phase of the two ocean areas and the location related difference between high and low tides will vary with the coordinates for different pair of locations. These conditions decide the potential of the invention as a generator of energy at the individual locations. Such natural conditions will influence the concrete design of the patent and the dimensions at the individual location. The patent will manifest itself in four main forms.

Reference is now made to figure 2 that shows a second preferred embodiment of the invention. Here, there is a permanent different tidal pattern between two ocean areas, with a constant different amplitude existing as shown in figures 5 and 6.

In figure 2, H is shown as an astronomical high tide and L as an astronomical low tide. These dimensions are different for the two ocean areas C and D on either side of the natural land barrier S. The ocean areas C and D have different levels because the landmasses and/or topographical conditions of the ocean bed create permanent different amplitudes in the tidal pattern of the two ocean areas. In figure 5, the sine curves for the tidal water cycle at the two areas are put together corresponding to figure 4A.

The hatched areas in figure 6 indicate how the artificial stream will vary in size and direction. The hatched areas also indicate the energy potential of the artificial tidal stream. At all such locations the artificial stream of the tidal water will not change direction at high tide H or at low tide L. At this specific location (lok 31/51), the artificial tidal stream will always flow in the same direction as a consequence of the influence of gravity. The sine pattern of the tidal water will vary from one location to another, but the sine patterns at the individual locations are always permanent. At some locations the artificial tidal stream will flow in the same direction, as in this case, see figure 6.

The dimensioning of the water duct V in a tunnel connection T or tunnel/pipe connection between the ocean areas C and D according to figure 10 will have to include the mathematical high tide/low tide for both ocean areas.

The main form 1 (The Figures 9. 10. 11 and 12).

A first of a total of four main forms of the invention is illustrated in figure 9. Two ocean surfaces, A and B, with a level difference are separated by a ridge S. H shows the astronomical spring tide and L the corresponding low tide.

According to the invention an installation for generation of power is created in that a tunnel 100 is blasted out as shown in figure 11 across the isthmus S with an arch- shaped vault 101. Initially, the floor area of the tunnel has a height level 102 which is somewhat higher than the level of the astronomical level H for the spring tide in the area. In this tunnel 100, a channel or a duct 104 is blasted out and the bottom level 106 in the duct 104 is planned to have a contour height which is somewhat lower than the lowest tidal water L. By placing a duct for the water as shown in figure 11 in a tunnel T with an upper contour higher than the astronomical spring tide H and a lower contour lower than L one will have access to an energy-rich tidal stream.

To be able to utilise this power potential for generation of electric power the dimensioning of the water duct and thus the tunnel must be calculated individually for each location. The breadth of the tunnel 100 and the roof of the tunnel are determined from the amount of water that shall be transported through the water duct 104 in the tunnel. The water duct is recessed into the tunnel floor on the same contour along the whole of the length of the tunnel. The contour for the top point Vt (102) of the water duct according to figure 12 is determined by: the high tide contour H plus estimated maximum effect from the air pressure, wind strength and wind direction, plus estimated size of future increases of the level of the ocean and the dimensions of the technical production means that shall be inserted for the generation of the electric energy. The bottom of the water duct is determined by L including taking into account the desired volume of water that shall be transported through the water duct. The water duct V (104) can be set in concrete and possibly covered by metal, by plastic or by another mouldable and durable material so that the inside of the channel is as smooth as possible such that it offers the least possible friction against the stream of water. The water duct has the character of a channel in the full length of the tunnel floor as shown by figure 11.

At either end of the tunnel a zone for catching, safety and release is formed with a funnel shape 200 as shown in figure 14. Figure 14A shows the inlet funnel 200 seen from the front and shows the inlet of the tunnel 100 with the channel/duct 104 in the tunnel floor. As figure 14C shows, the inlet funnel can have a flat top side, while the underside slants upwards towards the duct 104. Figure 14B shows that the funnel tapers from the outside 202 to the inlet 204 of the channel 104. In the production part the breadth of the channel is determined by available/chosen amounts of water and the chosen speed of the "tidal stream". The inlet funnel shall serve several purposes:

• It shall ensure a smooth in and out sluicing of water.

• It is used to determine the amount of water/through-flow speed in the water duct.

If the internal cross-section of the water duct is y m², while the same section at the end of the catching zone is 3 times y m², this could increase the water pressure in towards the channel 104 and thus treble the speed of the water in the water duct.

• In this zone the water breaker, grids that prevent ingress of unwanted material and the safety gate (lock gate) are placed.

As indicated in the figures 11 , 12 and 13, unspecified paddle wheels (Sk) are placed in the water duct one after the other along the whole length of the channel, with figure 13 indicating five such in row. The shafts Aks of the paddle wheels (Sk) are placed 90 degrees to the tidal stream. The shafts Aks of the paddle wheels Sk are placed so that they always lie higher than the water level in the water duct (contour 102). If the local calculations show, for example, that the most power/cost effective paddle wheels must have a diameter of 9.5 meters and a breadth of 14 meters, this means that such a paddle wheel can be placed, for example, every ten meters along the tunnel 100 and that the water duct 104 itself must be slightly more than 14 meters wide. The shaft Aks of the paddle wheels Sk is fitted directly or via a gear to two unspecified generators (G i and G₃ respectively), one at each end of the shaft. In this way, each paddle wheel drives two windmill generators. Alternatively, each paddle wheel can drive a larger generator. Economic considerations decide this. The length of the tunnel/water duct and the number of paddle wheels/generators are calculated from the local topography, size of the resource that can be exploited and market economic considerations.

A special embodiment of the invention can be seen in figure 13 which is a vertical section through an installation according to the invention. On the floor 102 of the tunnel 101 an extended artificial channel 200 is formed through the landmass S, for example, cast in concrete. The channel 200 is open upwards. A number of turbines with paddle wheels Sk are mounted to separate shafts Aks that run across the channel perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. The shaft Aks is connected to generators Gi, G₂, one on either side of the channel 200. It can be seen that a preferred embodiment for the turbine is a paddle wheel with a number of blades fitted to the shaft that is placed perpendicular to the direction of flow in the channel 200.

Figure 13 also shows a longitudinal section seen from above and seen from the side, respectively, and which shows that in this channel 200 there are five turbine/generator systems set up that are driven by the water.

The shortest connection between A and B will not necessarily be the most cost effective, as such an installation must preferably be formed with several paddles in a row in the channel. Therefore, the channel can be formed in an arch-shape between the two areas and consequently the channel can be placed through the landmass at a distance from the shortest connection between A and B. The balance between the length, breadth, height and depth of the tunnel must be calculated based on the natural characteristics of each individual project.

A second main form is shown in figure 15.

This embodiment is constructed as a penstock (channel) 300 through the landmass S under the lowest ocean level L (low tide sea). The penstock 300 is levelled in the same contour, for example, 15 metres below the ocean level, in the full length of the water course. The pressure difference between the ocean levels A and B will drive the "tidal stream" through the penstock 300. Such a solution can be used at all locations, also as an alternative to the main form 1. With this version of the idea one will have to use unspecified turbines perpendicular to the flow connected directly or via a gear/transmission to unspecified generators, to convert the stream of water to electric energy. If the generators are placed in the penstock that is an extension of the turbines themselves, as "wing-clipped windmills", the generators will take meters of space in the water stream. If the generators are placed in pockets on the outside of the penstock and are driven via gear/transmission, the turbines will be able to stand closer together after each other along the whole length of the penstock. At the end of the penstock there must be a zone for catching, safety and release with the same functions as shown in figure 14.

A third main embodiment of the invention.

The nature of the location has a character that makes it impossible to build the invention into a mountain. If one wishes the patent to be used at ocean level, this must be carried out as a water duct in the form of a channel, through loose landmasses (possibly low rock) on land, through loose material in shallow ground and out to steep slopes at both sides of land. The tidal stream can be used in the full length of the water course according to the same principles as in the main form 1. The main form 2 can be used as an alternative at such locations.

A fourth main embodiment of the invention.

Different combinations of the embodiments no. 1 and 3 mentioned above. In this description the concept of ocean area includes everything from the open sea meeting with the coast, bays, fjords, fjord-arms, inlets and to all other topographic forms where the water from the ocean reaches to at high tide.

Claims

P A T E N T C L A I M S

1. Method for production of energy from a stream of water, in which a rotational body rotates or turns and drives a generator for the production of said energy, characterised in that

a water stream is provided through a channel connection arranged through a landmass that defines a divide between two ocean areas with different tidal cycles, as a consequence of the different ocean levels between the two ocean areas, and which results in a phase displacement in the tidal cycles of the ocean areas, and said rotational body is placed in the stream of water to generate said energy, as

an upwardly open channel is used, the upper level (102) of which lies above the astronomical high tide level of the two ocean areas (A-B; C-D), the bottom level of the channel (106) is lower than the mathematical low-tide level of the two ocean areas.

2. Method according to claim 1 , characterised in that a connection is used in the form of a channel, the bottom of which is arranged on the same contour along the whole length of the channel.

3. Method according to claim 1 , characterised in that a connection in the form of a channel (300) is used through the landmass (S) at a distance below the two ocean levels, as the channel (300) is defined by the same contour along the whole length of the channel.

4. Method according to claim 1 , characterised in that a water duct (104) is used which is covered internally by a material which offers the least possible friction against the flow of water, said material is preferably metal plates, plastic or another mouldable and durable material.

5. Method according to claim 1 , characterised in that an inlet funnel is used to accumulate the volume of water into the channel, and also that means are used to determine the amount of water and the through-flow speed in the channel.

6. Installation for generation of energy from a stream of water, comprising a rotational body that can be driven by the stream of water to drive a generator for generation of said energy, characterised in that

a channel is arranged through a landmass that defines a divide between two ocean areas with different tidal water cycles, to establish a stream of water as a consequence of the different ocean levels between the two ocean areas, and which leads to a phase displacement in the tidal water cycles of the ocean areas, and said rotational body being set up to be placed in the water stream to provide said energy, as

the upper level (102) of the channel lies above the astronomical high tide level of the two ocean areas (A-B; C-D), and the bottom (106) of the channel is lower than the mathematical low tide level of the two ocean areas.

7. Installation according to claim 6, characterised in that the bottom of the channel connection is arranged on the same contour along the whole length of the channel.

8. Installation according to claims 6-7, characterised in that the channel is open upwards.

9. Installation according to claims 6-8, characterised in that the channel (300) runs through the landmass (S) at a distance below the two ocean areas, as the channel (300) is defined by the same contour along the whole length of the channel.

10. Installation according to claims 6-9, characterised in that the channel is covered internally by a material which offers the least friction against the flow of water, said material preferably being metal plates, a plastic or another mouldable and durable material.

11. Installation according to claims 6-10, characterised in that each end of the channel comprises a funnel-formed zone to increase the sluicing in/out of the water in the channel, and to determine the amount of water/the through-flow speed in the water duct.

12. Installation according to claims 6-11, characterised in that each inlet end comprises wave breakers and also a blocking body for unwanted material, and also a sluice gate which can stop the flow of water at any time.

13. Installation according to claims 6-12, characterised in that a number of water turbines that drive the generators which produce electric energy are used.

14. Installation according to claims 6-13, characterised in that the channel is built into the floor of a tunnel which is made through the landmass.

15. Installation according to claims 6-14, characterised in that the channel is set up as an artificial duct standing on the floor of a tunnel which is made through a landmass.

16. Application of the tidal water difference which occurs between two ocean areas that are separated by a landmass, for the generation of electric energy, in that a rotational body is made to be driven by a stream of water that is set up in a connection between the two ocean areas for the operation of an electricity generator.