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Tidal Power Generation 355

(a) High tide; flow is in (b) Low tide; flow is out

FIGURE 11 -19 Tdal Stream Generator. The movement of water in a tidal current generates power for both
inflow and outflow.

generator, causing it to rotate. The turbine is designed so it can rotate to optimize power for
incoming and outgoing tides. Figure 11-19(a) shows an example of a water turbine rotating
when the tide is coming in; Figure 11-19(b) shows an example when the tide is going out.
The main restriction to blade size is the depth of the water at low tide because the turbine
needs to be anchored where it remains under water.
A number of tidal stream power systems have been installed and are operating through -
out the world; others are in the planning stage. Marine Current Turbines Ltd, based in
Bristol, England, has developed the world's largest tidal stream system, which is known
as SeaGen. It is currently operating in Strangford Lough, which is a shallow bay on the
east coast of Northern Ireland. SeaGen has a large steel tower embedded in the ocean
floor that supports two 16 m diameter rotors connected on either side of a single monopile
structure. This structure can raise and lower the turbines out of the water for maintenance.
In operation, the turbines act like underwater "windmills" driven by the tidal current at a
rotational speed of up to 14 rpm. They are connected through a gearbox to a generator. The
system has been operational for a number of years and generates approximately 1.2 MW
of electricity for the Northern Ireland grid. Figure 11-20 shows a view of SeaGen with the
propellers in the raised position.

FIGURE 11 - 20 SeaGen Tidal Stream Energy System. SeaGen is a 1.2 MW tidal energy
system located off the coast of Ireland. (Source: Courtesy of Siemens AG.)

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