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Introduction
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy sources capture their energy
from existing flows of energy, from on-going natural
processes, such as sunshine, wind, flowing water
(hydropower), biological processes, and geothermal
heat flows. Renewable energy is from an energy
resource that is replaced rapidly by a natural process
such as power generated from the sun or from the
wind.
Examples of Renewable Energy Sources:
Wind
Solar
Hydroelectric
And....
Tidal Power
Tidal power generators derive their energy from
movement of the tides.
Obviously requires large bodies of water nearby. Not
viable on the prairies for example.
Has potential for generation of very large amounts of
electricity, or can be used in smaller scale.
Tidal power is not a new concept and has been used
since at least the 11th Century in Britain and France for
the milling of grains.
There are a number of places around the world that
have adopted pilot projects for different types of tidal
generators
Tides
Ebb Generation
The basin is filled through the
sluices and freewheeling turbines
until high tide. Then the sluice gates
and turbine gates are closed.
They are kept closed until the sea
level falls to create sufficient head
across the barrage and the turbines
generate until the head is again
low. Then the sluices are opened,
turbines disconnected and the
basin is filled again.
Estuary
Bulb Type
Rim Type
In systems with a bulb turbine, water flows
around the turbine, making access for
maintenance difficult, as the water must be
prevented from flowing past the turbine.
Tubular Type
Environmental/Ecological Concerns
Tidal power generation can
offer significant advantages,
including improved
transportation due to the
development of traffic or rail
bridges across estuaries and
reduced greenhouse gas
emissions by utilizing tidal
power in place of fossil fuels.
However there are also some
significant environmental
disadvantages which make
tidal power, particularly
barrage systems less attractive
than other forms of renewable
energy.
Tidal Changes
The construction of a tidal barrage in an estuary will change the tidal
level in the basin. This change is difficult to predict, and can result in
a lowering or raising of the tidal level. This change will also have a
marked effect on the sedimentation and purity of the water within the
basin. In addition, navigation and recreation can be affected as a
result of a sea depth change due to increased sedimentation within
the basin. A raising of the tidal level could result in the flooding of the
shoreline, which could have an effect on the local marine food chain.
Ecological Changes
Potentially the largest disadvantage of tidal power is the effect a
tidal station has on the plants and animals which live within the
estuary. As very few tidal barrages have been built, very little is
understood about the full impact of tidal power systems on the local
environment. What has been concluded is that the effect due to a
tidal barrage is highly dependent upon the local geography and
marine ecosystem.
Wales have been caught in tidal generators.
Fish may move through sluices safely, but when these are closed,
fish will seek out turbines and attempt to swim through them. Also,
some fish will be unable to escape the water speed near a turbine
and will be sucked through.
Tidal Lagoons
Tidal Turbines
Tidal Fences
Tidal fences are composed of
individual, vertical axis turbines
which are mounted within the fence
structure, known as a caisson.
Kind of like giant turn styles which
completely block a channel, forcing
all of the water through them.
Unlike barrage tidal power stations,
tidal fences can also be used in
unconfined basins, such as in the
channel between the mainland and a
nearby off shore island, or between
two islands.
Tidal Fences
Since they do not require
flooding of the basin, tidal
fences have much less impact
on the environment, and are
significantly cheaper to install.
Unlike barrage generators,
tidal fences have the
advantage of being able to
generate electricity once the
initial modules are installed.
Since a caisson structure is
still required, which can disrupt
the movement of large marine
animals and shipping, there
are still ecological concerns
Tidal Fences
A 2.2GW tidal fence
using the Davis turbine,
was being planned for the
San Bernadino Strait in
the Philippines to be
constructed by the Blue
Energy company. The
project, estimated to cost
$US 2.8 Billion is
unfortunately on hold due
to political instability
according to Michael
Maser a Blue Energy
spokesman.
http://www.bluenergy.com/
Tidal Lagoons
Tidal lagoons are an adaptation of the
barrage system. Similar to standard
barrage models, tidal lagoons retain a
head pond and generate power via
conventional hydro-turbines.
The difference is that the conventional
barrage designs exploit the natural
coast line to minimize barrage length.
However, this entails blocking the
estuary regardless of how deep it is.
This raise the costs considerably.
However, a lagoon, for a low cost can
pretty much be built anywhere that
there is a high tidal range.
Tidal Turbines
Proposed shortly after the oil crisis of
the 1970s, tidal turbines have only
become reality in the last decade,
when a 10-15kW 'proof of concept'
turbine was operated on Loch Linnhe.
Resembling a wind turbine, tidal
turbines offer significant advantages
over barrage and fence tidal systems,
including reduced environmental
effects.
Tidal turbines utilize tidal currents that
are moving with velocities of between
2 and 3 m/s (4 to 6 knots) to generate
between 4 and 13 kW/m2. Fast
moving current (>3 m/s) can cause
undue stress on the blades in a similar
way that very strong gale force winds
can damage traditional wind turbine
generators, whilst lower velocities are
uneconomic.
Tidal Turbines
Tidal Turbines
SeaFlow, a 300 kW prototype turbine was the worlds first offshore
tidal turbine and was installed off Lynmouth, Devon in May 2003.
Conclusions
Tidal power is a renewable, potentially zero emission (during
operation) energy source.
Tides have the advantage of being completely predictable, unlike
solar and wind power.
Different types of Tidal Generators suit different areas and energy
needs.
There are environmental concerns that need to be addressed when
developing this technology further.
QUESTIONS?