Renewable Energy V

Ocean Waves, Tide and

Thermal Energy Conversion

Asim Zia
Environmental Studies 133
Alternative Energy Strategies
San Jose State University
Spring 2007
Overview [chapter 14]
• What are ocean energy resources?
• How tidal energy is extracted? What are its
technological limitations and
economic/sustainability prospects?
• How wave energy is extracted? What are its
technological limitations and
economic/sustainability prospects?
• How ocean-thermal energy is extracted? What
are its technological limitations and
economic/sustainability prospects?
• More information at
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/renewabl
e_energy/ocean/index.cfm/mytopic=50007
Ocean Energy Resources
Tidal Energy
At least
16 feet
distance
needed
between
high and
low tides

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter14.html
Tidal Energy [Limited Sites]
Tidal Energy [Technologies]

• Barrage or dam
A barrage or dam is typically used to convert tidal
energy into electricity by forcing the water through
turbines, activating a generator. Gates and turbines
are installed along the dam. When the tides produce
an adequate difference in the level of the water on
opposite sides of the dam, the gates are opened. The
water then flows through the turbines. The turbines
turn an electric generator to produce electricity.
Tidal Energy [Technologies]
 Tidal Energy [Technologies]
Annual Average Electricity Generation in
kWhr [E] is equal to

Where: COP is coefficient of performance

[typically 0.2 to 0.35]
R is dam head in Meters and A is the
area of water impoundment in KM2
Tidal Energy [Technologies]

• Tidal fence
Tidal fences look like giant turnstiles. They can reach
across channels between small islands or across straits
between the mainland and an island. The turnstiles spin
via tidal currents typical of coastal waters. Some of
these currents run at 5–8 knots (5.6–9 miles per hour)
and generate as much energy as winds of much higher
velocity. Because seawater has a much higher density
than air, ocean currents carry significantly more energy
than air currents (wind).
Tidal Energy [Technologies]
• Tidal turbine
Tidal turbines look like wind turbines. They are
arrayed underwater in rows, as in some wind
farms. The turbines function best where coastal
currents run at between 3.6 and 4.9 knots (4
and 5.5 mph). In currents of that speed, a 15-
meter (49.2-feet) diameter tidal turbine can
generate as much energy as a 60-meter (197-
feet) diameter wind turbine. Ideal locations for
tidal turbine farms are close to shore in water
depths of 20–30 meters (65.5–98.5 feet).
Tidal Energy [Environmental
Impacts]
• Tidal power plants that dam estuaries can
impede sea life migration, and silt build-ups
behind such facilities can impact local
ecosystems.
• Tidal fences may also disturb sea life
migration.
• Newly developed tidal turbines may prove
ultimately to be the least environmentally
damaging of the tidal power technologies
because they don't block migratory paths.
Tidal Energy

http://www.tidalelectric.com/OFGEM%20Exec%20Summary.pdf
Tidal Energy

http://www.tidalelectric.com/OFGEM%20Exec%20Summary.pdf
Tidal Energy
 Wave Energy [Technologies]
Oscillating water column
The oscillating water column consists of a partially
submerged concrete or steel structure that has an
opening to the sea below the waterline. It encloses a
column of air above a column of water. As waves
enter the air column, they cause the water column to
rise and fall. This alternately compresses and
depressurizes the air column. As the wave retreats,
the air is drawn back through the turbine as a result
of the reduced air pressure on the ocean side of the
turbine.
Wave Energy [water column]

Higher wave
height and
faster
waves
create more
electricity

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter14.html
Wave Energy [water column]
Wave Energy [water column]
Wave Energy [water column]
P=1.96h2T
Where
P is power in kw/m
h is wave height in m
T is wave period, time for
successive crests to pass a fixed
observer (e.g. 4 seconds)
Wave Energy Resources
 Wave Energy [Technologies]
Tapchan
The tapchan, or tapered channel system,
consists of a tapered channel, which feeds
into a reservoir constructed on cliffs above sea
level. The narrowing of the channel causes
the waves to increase in height as they move
toward the cliff face. The waves spill over the
walls of the channel into the reservoir and the
stored water is then fed through a turbine.
Wave Energy [Technologies]
 Wave Energy [Technologies]
Pendulor device
The pendulor wave-power device consists of a
rectangular box, which is open to the sea at
one end. A flap is hinged over the opening
and the action of the waves causes the flap to
swing back and forth. The motion powers a
hydraulic pump and a generator.
Wave Energy [Technologies]
Wave Energy [Technologies]
Wave Energy [Technologies]
Wave Energy [Technologies]
 Wave Energy [Environmental
Impacts]
• Careful site selection is the key to keeping the
environmental impacts of wave power
systems to a minimum.
– Wave energy system planners can choose sites
that preserve scenic shorefronts.
– They also can avoid areas where wave energy
systems can significantly alter flow patterns of
sediment on the ocean floor.
• More info on wave energy is at
http://www.worldenergy.org/wec-
geis/publications/reports/ser/wave/wave.asp
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
[OTEC]

• A difference of at least 38 degrees

Fahrenheit (about 20 C) is needed
between the warmer surface water
and the colder deep ocean water to
generate OTEC electricity.
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
[OTEC]

http://www.worldenergy.org/wec-geis/publications/reports/ser/ocean/ocean.asp
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
[OTEC]: Global Resource Availability
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
[OTEC]: Global Resource Availability
OTEC Technology
OTEC Technology
OTEC Power Plant features
OTEC Power Plant Experiment

http://www.worldenergy.org/wec-geis/publications/reports/ser/ocean/ocean.asp
Typical Problems with Ocean
Energy or ARE THESE REALLY
PROBLEMS?
• Capital Intensive?
• Storm Resiliency?
• Scarcity of shoreline sites (competition with
residential, recreational and industrial uses)?
• Environmental impacts are only local (estuaries
damaged, migratory fish and waterfowls might
suffer, sediment transportation)?
• Navigation hazards, aesthetics?