Tidal and Wave Energy

By:
Patrick Blomberg
Adam Womack

How it Works Tidal Barrages

Tidal Barrages
Dam an estuary
As water flows out or in, a turbine is spun
Electricity is generated by the turbine

How it Works Tidal Barrages

How it Works Tidal Barrages

from http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/EandE/Web_sites/01-02/RE_info/tidal1.htm)

How it Works - Wave Energy

Many experimental technologies
Example: Pelamis Project

from http://www.worldenergy.org/wec-geis/publications/reports/ser/wave/wave.as

How it Works - Wave Energy

Offshore Turbines
Have gearboxes, anchored by a monopile

from http://www.marineturbines.com/technical.htm

How it Works - Wave Energy

Swanturbines
No gearboxes, anchored by concrete

from http://www.swanturbines.co.uk

How it Works - Wave Energy

from http://www.worldenergy.org/wec-geis/publications/reports/ser/wave/wave.asp

Environmental Tidal Barrages

Under Construction
Essentially the barrage
is a dam
Stagnating water
Increase in pollutants
Given time, returns to
normal

Environmental Tidal Barrages

After Construction
Tidal height changed
Decrease in mud flats area during low tide
Unpredictable effect on bird migration (30-50%)
Outside high tide increase; excess flow

Turbidity decreases
Increase in phytoplankton
Unpredictable changes to food chain

Sediment gradient altered

Severn Estuary Solution

Environmental Wave Energy

Blade Speed 10-20 rpm
Boat propeller up to 10x
faster

Monopile/Concrete
Easily Avoided

Other Designs
Stationary, surface

Vortex
Unsure, expected to be
avoided

Image from: http://www.marineturbines.com/home.htm

Economic Tidal Barrages

Historical Example Rance Estuary
Cost about 530 Million Euros in todays costs,
not including inflation in mid 60s
240 MW output
Estimated energy cost (Not including startup)
18 cents Euro / kW
Nuklear estimated similarly at 25/kW

Economic Tidal Barrages

Severn Estuary
Estimated $12-16 million construction
About 3 Nuclear plants

8640 MW Output
About 8 Nucler plants

Running costs about 1.5x Nuclear

Estimated lifespan 120 years
Nuclear is about 60

Alternate Design - Lifts

Economic Wave Energy

MCT About $16 million US
Plotted Velocities
300 kW design
1 MW design

Other Estimates
Cheaper than tidal
About the same as wind

Conclusions
Wave Energy
More area for utilization
Promising research
Potential for higher than 10% of world need

Tidal Barrages
Widely varying environmental impact
Expensive, but long lasting
Very placement specific

Questions?