Renewable Energy Resources: Tidal and Jet Stream Energies
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March 7, 2015 Renewable Energy Resources: Tidal and Jet stream Energies An Interactive Qualifying Project Report completed in partial fulfillment of the Bachelor of Science degree at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Submitted by: Dale LaPlante Iordanis Kesisolgou Yuchen Wang Submitted to: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Professor: Mayer Humi Mathematical sciences Interactive Qualifying Project Abstract This report examines various energy resources to ensure that humanity has ample supplies for future use. Fossil fuels are forecast to be depleted within a century, and the world’s search for new technologies and sources (such as fracking) continues to negatively impact the environment. This report outlines various alternative energy sources available with focus on jet stream and tidal energy. Our goal is to survey the current state of the world’s energy basket and develop visionary suggestions for the future. 2 Interactive Qualifying Project Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 3 Graphs and Figures ......................................................................................................................... 6 Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... 14 Chapter 1: Fossil fuels .................................................................................................................. 16 1.1 Natural Gas .......................................................................................................................... 16 1.1.1 Cost, consumption, and supply ..................................................................................... 16 1.1.2 Environmental Impact .................................................................................................. 19 1.1.3 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 21 1.2: Oil ....................................................................................................................................... 23 1.3 Coal ..................................................................................................................................... 32 Chapter 2: Renewable energy ....................................................................................................... 36 2.1 Nuclear energy .................................................................................................................... 36 2.2: Helium 3 ............................................................................................................................. 38 2.2.1 What is Helium 3 .......................................................................................................... 38 2.2.2 Supply and price of Helium 3 ....................................................................................... 43 2.2.3 Demand of Helium 3 .................................................................................................... 45 2.2.4 Uses .............................................................................................................................. 47 2.3 Solar Energy ........................................................................................................................ 48 2.3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 48 2.3.2 Data analysis of the current solar energy usage ........................................................... 49 2.3.3 The cost of solar energy................................................................................................ 53 2.3.4 New technology and better use of solar energy. ........................................................... 55 3 Interactive Qualifying Project 2.3.5 Conclusion and summary ............................................................................................. 56 2.4 Bio-Fuel ............................................................................................................................... 57 2.4.1 Definition ...................................................................................................................... 57 2.4.2 How to grow algae and make it fuel ............................................................................. 63 2.4.3 The cost of bio-fuel from Algae ................................................................................... 63 2.4.4 Environmental Impact .................................................................................................. 71 2.4.5 Case Study .................................................................................................................... 74 2.5: Others ................................................................................................................................. 76 2.5.1 Heat Engines ................................................................................................................. 76 2.5.2 The Stirling engine ....................................................................................................... 80 2.5.3 Hydroelectric ................................................................................................................ 86 Chapter 3: Proposed energy source............................................................................................... 92 3.1 Jet Stream ............................................................................................................................ 92 3.2 Tidal Energy ...................................................................................................................... 107 3.2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 107 3.2.2 Tidal Steam Generator ................................................................................................ 107 3.2.3 Tidal Barrage .............................................................................................................. 110 3.2.4 Dynamic Tidal Power ................................................................................................. 113 3.2.5 Tidal Energy Project in the Bay of Fundy .................................................................. 119 3.2.6 Sihwa Tidal Power Plant ............................................................................................ 126 3.2.7 La Rance Tidal Power Plant ....................................................................................... 131 3.2.8 Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon ........................................................................................ 137 3.2.9 Tidal Energy Potential in the World ........................................................................... 144 3.3 Current Energy .................................................................................................................. 148 3.3.1 Overview of Resources ............................................................................................... 148 4 Interactive Qualifying Project 3.3.2 Resources In-Depth .................................................................................................... 152 3.3.3 Turbines ...................................................................................................................... 156 3.3.4 Theoretical Modeling ................................................................................................. 159 3.3.5 Conclusions ................................................................................................................ 163 3.4 Social implication .............................................................................................................. 166 Chapter 4: Conclusion................................................................................................................. 180 4.1 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 180 4.2 Recommendation for future IQP ....................................................................................... 182 4.3 References ......................................................................................................................... 184 5 Interactive Qualifying Project Graphs and Figures Chapter 1: Fossil fuels .................................................................................................................. 16 1.1 Natural Gas .......................................................................................................................... 16 1.1.1 Cost, consumption, and supply ..................................................................................... 16 Figure 1.1.1: U.S Natural Gas production from 1990 to 2035 showing an increasing shale gas1 ..................................................................................................................................... 16 Table 1.1.1: World’s total gas reserves: 6,846 trillion cubic feet2 ..................................... 17 Figure 1.1.2: World’s total gas reserves: 6,846 trillion cubic feet2 ................................... 17