The development of local energy systems is important to curtailing global warming and improving public safety. Therefore, in this work, the basic performance of an independent microgrid consisting of tidal power generators, photovoltaics, fuel cells, and heat pumps to locally produce energy for local consumption was analyzed. Fast tidal currents near inlets that join lakes to the sea were converted into electrical energy via a three-phase synchronized generator connected to Darius water turbines. On the basis of the results of an oceanographic survey, the production of electricity and the CO2 emissions of each generator were calculated using balanced equations for electricity and heat. The calculations indicated that 33% of the CO2 emissions were associated with the energy supplied through conventional methods during the summer season. Although the frequency and waveform of the electricity of the microgrid were high quality, improvement in the voltage regulation was still required. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.