Simulation Model to Assess Tidal Potential Energy in East Coast of Malaysia Using GIS

Abstract

This article studies the GIS simulation of yearly power generation in five different tidal stations in the East Coast region of Malaysia. The tidal stations are Geting, Tanjung Gelang, Tioman, Tanjung Sedili and Cendering. The tidal station in Geting is not analysed in this study because the tidal range is insignificant. After analysing the lagoons nearby to the four tidal stations, Tanjung Gelang and Tanjung Sedili are chosen in this study based on their natural characteristics and geomorphology of lagoons. The simulation model is based on yearly power generation using tidal barrage. This article also looks into the model in terms of mapping using GIS software to obtain bathymetry and tidal range data. Bathymetry data in GIS format is obtained from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and tidal range data is obtained from ‘Jabatan Ukur dan Pemetaan Malaysia’. The latest tidal data up to date is the year 2011. The minimum depth of tidal basin should be 3.0 meter. Using GIS software to analyse bathymetry and tidal range data, the results are then combined to find yearly generation power output in the two tidal stations and are plotted in one map for each tidal station. The area of basin in Tanjung Gelang and Tanjung Sedili are 17.736 km2 and 27.919 km2. The calculation includes the important parameters such as area of basin, tidal range, number of tide cycles per year, and number of hours per tide. From the results and analysis, it is concluded that Tanjung Sedili and Tanjung Gelang produce 1.528 x 108 kWh and 1.294 x 108 kWh as their yearly power generation in 2011.