Tidal energy is a form of hydropower that generates electricity from tides. There are two main types - tidal barrages and tidal current turbines. Tidal barrages use dams to capture potential energy from high and low tides, while tidal current turbines capture kinetic energy directly from tidal stream flows. While tidal energy has benefits like being renewable and causing less environmental damage than other sources, it also faces challenges like high upfront costs and impacts on local ecosystems. Development is ongoing to improve tidal turbine technologies and minimize environmental effects.