Final answer:
The tidal range refers to the vertical difference between high and low tide in a basin. Factors influencing the tidal range include local topography and ocean floor bathymetry. To determine the power generated by a tidal station, parameters such as area, tidal height, and efficiency are essential.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is inquiring about the tidal range which refers to the vertical difference between the high tide and the low tide in an enclosed basin. To determine the tidal range, one must consider various factors such as local shoreline topography, ocean floor bathymetry, and tidal forces exerted by celestial bodies. For instance, the tidal range at the Bay of Fundy can reach up to 16.3 meters due to the unique topography and bathymetry of the area. The Rance tidal power station in France, which the student references, is built to exploit this natural phenomenon to generate electricity.
Calculating the exact tidal range for a specific enclosed basin requires detailed information about its geographic and topographic setup. Additionally, to compute the power delivered by a tidal power station such as the Rance facility, we must consider its capture area, height capacity, the actual tidal height during operation, the drainage duration, and the efficiency of the turbines. In cases where the tidal heights do not reach the full design height, the performance of such facilities may be affected, as indicated by the Rance facility's capacity factor of 24%.