Assessment of Tidal Energy as Alternative Energy Source in South Africa

Abstract

as the global population expands, the demands on energy supply consequentially increase. However, climate change means emphasis is placed on clean energy sources so we're seeing the emergence of wind power, solar power and hydropower worldwide. This paper focuses on investigating the design and development potential of a South African tidal wave barrage system. The country's expansive coastline provides ample opportunity for the development of such a system; and the constraints on the national grid make this the perfect time to generate clean energy to support the existing power plants. The design of the tidal wave barrage system has been based on tidal wave theory, laws of potential energy, as well as hydrodynamics derived from fluid mechanics. This has allowed for the calculation of potential power generation and the resultant size of the tidal wave barrage system required. These calculations were used as input for the tidal wave barrage system model which allowed for a system simulation. The system effectively consists of the barrage structure, and the power-generating plants - two components linked through mathematical models that provided the system functional diagram. The input parameters for this model were derived from the tidal wave data and the mechanical design properties of the turbine and generator. This was then used to develop a function Matlab®/Simulink® model. Using the Simulink® simulations, it was evident that the tidal barrage system can generate approximately 2MW per unit - the ideal generating capacity for which each generation unit was designed. The conclusion of the system design indicated the tidal wave barrage system has the potential to generate power from tidal waves in South Africa.