Tidal Energy Development Research Articles

A techno-economic analysis of tidal energy technology

The choice of which type of electrical power generation technology to adopt is driven by a number of factors including: cost of generated electricity; responsiveness of generating plant to demand; security of supply/resource availability; environmental impact; and execution risk. Within these, tidal energy is unique as a renewable technology since it has the capability of providing predictable, firm power contributing to security of supply. This predictability gives tidal energy additional value in a future electricity market. Especially one where stochastic renewable technologies contribute to a sizable component of the power supplied; and where reserve capacity is required to maintain supply during periods of non-availability. In the shorter term, in order for tidal energy to gain commercial acceptance, tidal technologies under development need to produce electricity at a competitive price. This paper examines the drivers influencing electricity pricing; current tidal energy developments, aimed at reducing capital costs; and bench-mark these against offshore wind.

Interactive Marine Spatial Planning: Siting Tidal Energy Arrays around the Mull of Kintyre

The rapid development of the offshore renewable energy sector has led to an increased requirement for Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and, increasingly, this is carried out in the context of the ‘ecosystem approach’ (EA) to management. We demonstrate a novel method to facilitate implementation of the EA. Using a real-time interactive mapping device (touch-table) and stakeholder workshops we gathered data and facilitated negotiation of spatial trade-offs at a potential site for tidal renewable energy off the Mull of Kintyre (Scotland). Conflicts between the interests of tidal energy developers and commercial and recreational users of the area were identified, and use preferences and concerns of stakeholders were highlighted. Social, cultural and spatial issues associated with conversion of common pool to private resource were also revealed. The method identified important gaps in existing spatial data and helped to fill these through interactive user inputs. The workshops developed a degree of consensus between conflicting users on the best areas for potential development suggesting that this approach should be adopted during MSP.

조력에너지 개발을 위한 공간데이터 모델링 방안

지형적인 영향으로 큰 조차가 발생하여 조력발전에 유리한 입지를 보유하고 있는 인천만을 대상으로 2006년부터 조력에너지 실용화 기술개발을 위한 연구가 지속적으로 추진되고 있다. 이러한 조력에너지 개발을 위해서는 조력발전 시설물의 최적입지를 결정하고 환경영향을 최소화하는 최적의 대안을 도출할 필요가 있다. 이를 효율적으로 수행하기 위해서는 개발과 보전에 관련된 다양한 공간요소를 체계적으로 관리하고 활용할 수 있는 공간정보체계가 필수적이다. 본 연구를 통해 조력에너지 개발을 위한 공간 데이터는 자료 특성에 따라 크게 세 가지 데이터 군으로 정의 가능하였다. 핵심 데이터 군으로는 조석, 조류 뿐 아니라 파랑, 침식, 퇴적 요소와 같은 공간데이터로 정의된다. 또한 지형도, 시설물도, 수심과 같은 기본 데이터 군과 해양생태와 해양환경 등 각종 주제도 성격의 참조 데이터 군으로 정의된다. 본 연구의 주요 목적은 이러한 공간 데이터 구성 요소의 정의를 통해 필수적 데이터모델과 선택적 데이터모델로 분류한 개념적 공간데이터 모델링 방법론을 정립하고자 함이다. Incheon Bay has a suitable condition for tidal power generation due to the high tidal range by topographical effect. Therefore a study on the technology development for tidal energy utilization has been promoted since 2006. It is needed to deduce optimal alternatives to determine the suitable location of facilities for tidal power generation and to reduce the environmental damage from development. In order to carry out efficiently this mission, spatial information system is essential to manage and use various spacial elements related to the development and conservation. In this study, for the development of tidal energy, spatial data could be defined as three kinds of dataset. Fundamental dataset is defined as spatial data such as tide, tidal current, wave, erosion and sedimentation. Framework dataset is composed of topographical map, facility map and bathymetry. The reference dataset is composed of marine ecology and environment having the characteristics of thematic map. This study is mainly aimed at establishing methodology of conceptual spatial data modeling classifying as essential data model and optional data model through the definition of the components of spatial data.

The Research and Design of Vertical-Shaft Water Turbine Power Generation Device

Under the circumstances of global climate becoming warm, the development of tidal energy which is a reproducible clean energy attracts great attention.And the effective usage of developed tidal energy is the critical problem of developing the tidal energy.Presently, the utilization rate of tidal energy is improved mostly by changing water turbine’s structure, which is under research. And the refinement of already built tidal energy generating set is restricted by cost.The electronics and electric device of water turbine are designed by taking certain control strategy under the structure of water turbine unchanged. So the water turbine is run at maximum efficiency. And the tidal energy can be applied as far as possible. After experiment, the designed experimental device is up to the control requirements.

Supporting wave and tidal energy in the UK – an analysis of UK Policy 2000-2009

In order to stimulate UK based marine energy technology developers, the UK Government launched the Marine Renewables Proving Fund (MRPF) in 2009. This instrument was designed to bridge the gap between early-stage research funding and the recently-criticised Marine Renewables Deployment Fund (MRDF). This paper develops an analysis framework for policy instruments designed to support technology development. The framework is applied to the community of wave and tidal energy developers and their technical progress recorded on a scale of technology readiness levels. Ten UK public sector funding instruments are analysed within this framework, and a rationale developed for the lack of uptake of the MRDF and the likely demand for the MRPF.

Tidal power

Reviews the physics of tidal power, considering the gravitational effects of the Moon and Sun; semidiurnal, diurnal, and mixed tides; and major periodic components that affect the tidal range. Shelving, funneling, reflection, and resonance phenomena that have a significant effect on tidal range are also discussed. Basic parameters that govern the design of tidal power schemes in terms of mean tidal range and surface area of the enclosed basin are identified. Because energy extracted is proportional to the square root of the tidal amplitude, sites with large tidal amplitudes are best suited for tidal power developments, whereas sites with low tidal amplitudes have sluicing that may be prohibitive. Potential tidal energy developments are mentioned. Existing tidal energy plants are discussed. Tidal barrage design and construction using caissons is examined, as are alternative operating modes, development trends and possibilities, generation cost at the barrage boundary, sensitivity to discount rates, general economics, and markets. Environmental effects, and institutional constraints to the development of tidal barrage schemes are also discussed.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>