DOCSLIB.ORG

Tidal Energy in Korea

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Tidal Energy in Korea APEC Youth Scientist Journal Vol. 5 TIDAL ENERGY IN KOREA ∗ Jeong Min LEE 1 1 Goyang Global High School, 1112 Wi city 4-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea 410-821 ABSTRACT Tidal energy is one of the few renewable energy resources Korean government is planning on to implant in Korean Peninsula. Due to its continuity and environmental friendliness, tidal energy is getting its attention as appropriate alternative energy for Korea that can replace conventional fossil fuels. On the other hand, while Korean government is pushing forward to build tidal plants using Korea’s geographical advantages following the construction of tidal plants, many locals are holding demonstrations in order to stop tidal plants from being built. These disputes are holding off government’s original plan to construct tidal plants in Incheon Bay area. In this study, concept of using tidal energy and various methods will be introduced, followed by Korea’s geographical conditions for constructing tidal power plants. Concerning construction of tidal plants in Korea, problems regarding the issue will also be covered. This will provide current status of tidal energy as renewable resource in Korea, and how it will change to impact the country. Keywords: tidal power, geographical advantage, tidal plant sites, ecological impact, conflict ∗ Correspondence to : Jeong Min L EE ([email protected]) - 174 - APEC Youth Scientist Journal Vol. 5 1. INTRODUCTION Energy we use to produce electricity and heat has brought great changes on how we live today. However, nowadays despite successful contribution to improvements of human lives, conventional resources are losing its stature for creating many problems to global society. As a result of the problems brought by traditional energy resources such as climate change, many countries are now turning their attention to renewable energy resources. As technological development occur in fields of energy resource, renewable energies are getting its attention for their environmental friendliness and continuity of resources. Korea also has adapted to this global trend in energy consumption. Former president Myung-Bak Lee presented the National Strategy for Green Growth, which set its goal in enhancing people’s quality of life through eco-friendly growth engines and contributing to international efforts to prevent climate change. Also Korea signed an agreement with Global Green Growth Institute in January 17 th , 2013, showing its will to continue pursuing the goal of green growth in the future. Considering Korea’s promises to continue green growth, what kinds of renewable energy will be actually beneficial to Korea? While many countries have their own landmarks, Korea is said to have a unique geographical feature which makes the country suitable for tidal power generation system. Therefore through this research, we will be able to find out what tidal energy is and what is special about Korean ocean that makes it perfect place for the one of the biggest tidal power plants in the world. Along with benefits of having tidal power plants in Korea, we will tackle some problems that contradict the original purpose of using renewable energy and what tidal energy will be like in the future. 2. RESEARCH Tidal energy is one form of hydropower energy produced by ocean water during the rise and the fall of tides. Tidal power generator uses energy during those certain time to convert them into electricity, to be used in many other forms. In the process, turbines convert potential energy of tides into electrical energy. There are currently three main types for harvesting tidal energy; tidal streams, barrages, and tidal lagoons. (1) Tidal Streams Tidal stream is a form of generating electricity by spinning a turbine underneath the ocean. Tidal stream uses kinetic energy of tides to produce electricity. This method can be - 175 - APEC Youth Scientist Journal Vol. 5 divided into two ways. One method is generating turbine during the low tide (Figure 1). Flood gate is opened during high tide until it captures large mass of ocean water. As low tide creates height difference between captured water and the o cean water , the gate releases captured water in order to turn the turbine, thereby generating electricity. Another way is spinning the turbine during high tide in which the process is complete opposite of the former method . When building tidal streams, app ropriate method has to be chosen regarding ocean conditions in the nearby area. It is possible to generate electricity in both tides, yet it also depends on the ocean conditions ; taking account of whether it is efficient or not. Currently, tidal stream method is the most used method of producing energy from tidal power, and it is being used in France, China, and Korea. Figure 1: Process of tidal stream during low tides (top: filling water, bottom: generation) (2) Barrages Tidal barrage uses a dam to produce energy from ocean tides. This system makes use of potential energy of difference in height in low and high tide. This process uses large dam called ‘barrage’ for holding tide water and then releasing them to spin the turbine. The process of tidal barrage is very similar to that of river dam. (Figure 2) First, the barrage gates are opened to take water in as the tide rises. At high tide, barrage gates are closed to create what is similar to water lagoon. Then a s the tide lowers, water is released through bar rage turbines, creating energy. This barrage can be constructed in tidal bays, and across tidal estuaries. As of now, there are tidal barrages operating in France and Canada, proving its effectiveness for nearly 40 years. - 176 - APEC Youth Scientist Journal Vol. 5 Figure 2: Process of tidal barrage (3) Tidal Lagoon System of tidal lagoon produces energy by creating tidal lagoon. Tidal lagoon is a large amount of ocean water enclosed by normally man-made barrier. The process of generating energy is much like the process of barrier. However in tidal lagoon, energ y can be generated continuously because turbine can work as the water is being filled and emptied (Figure 3) . Also tidal lagoon can be constructed along the coastline, providing wider area for construction. Yet the actual amount of energy production is minimal compared to other methods. Because of this relative inefficiency, there is n o tidal lagoon currently running, however China is planning on constructing tidal lagoon near the border of North Korea. - 177 - APEC Youth Scientist Journal Vol. 5 Figure 3 : P rocess of tidal lagoon (note that power is generated both in high tide and low tide) KOREA: PERFECT PLACE FOR TIDAL POWER ENERGY As shown above, there are several ways to produce electricity from tidal energy . However, only few places can actually run tidal power plants successfully , because extracting sufficient amount of energy from tides requires power plants to be built in a specific area in which tides can create enough energy to be beneficial . There are few bu t very essential geographical conditions which make a land an efficien t place for producing tidal energy. Big gap between high tide and low tide Tidal plant uses poten tial energy created between ocean tides. Therefore bigger gap between high tide and low tide means more potential energy a vailable for energy production. Large surface area in which tides can come and go Quantity of electricity produced by tidal plant is determined by the volume of water which goes through turbines. Large surface area for tides yields large volume of water to activate the turbine. Places for shorter dams for economic construction This factor determines the efficiency of a tidal plant in its construction . If length of a dam for a tidal plant is short relative to its size, it requires less money for construction and maintenance, compared to its high energy production. - 178 - APEC Youth Scientist Journal Vol. 5 Because of these conditions, there are actually only few places in the world that are adequate for production of electricity through tidal power plants. (Figure 4) Figure 4: Areas colored in dark blue are regions with high potential of tidal energy resources Figure 5: Tide measurements in Shiwa power plant. difference of sea level goes up to 10 meters As seen o n Figure 4, Korea is considered as one of the few countries with the geological feature th at is suitable for tidal energy. Especially the western coastline of Korean - 179 - APEC Youth Scientist Journal Vol. 5 Peninsula holds areas appropriate for tidal plants. First, difference between h igh and low tides are very big ; the height of two tides changes up to 10 meters. This allows tidal plants to harvest both more potent ial and kinetic energy for each tide. Also, Korean west coast has the geographical feature called ‘rias cost.’ Rias coast is geographical feature of a coast with irregular and curve-like coastl ines. This feature provides bigger surface area to use tidal energy, and also to have relatively shorter dam because of its curve-like formation . As seen above in the context, Korea has its geographical advantage that makes it apropriate place for constructing tidal power plants, especially in Incheon Bay area, where all of these conditions fits for tidal plant. Due to these conditions, Korea has been investing on researchs for finding better place for tidal plant sites. CURRENT STATUS OF TIDAL ENERGY IN KOREA Korea was seen with it potential for effective tidal plants since the 1920s. In 1929, the Japanese Government General of Korea ran several investigation projects in Incheon Bay, to plan an Incheon Bay tidal plant. Research for tidal plant sites increased especially after the oil shock in 1970s. Korea Ocean Research & Development Institute (KORDI) operated research projects in 1974 and 1978 and had located ten sites for possible construction of tidal plants along the western coastline.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Tidal Energy and How It Pertains to the Construction Industry
    Tidal Energy and how it Pertains to the Construction Industry Armin Latifi California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Renewable Energy is on the forefront of many global discussions. The concern of numerous scientific findings on the impact humanity has had on the environment has grown in recent years. Since alternative energy sources, such as solar and wind, have already made substantial progress, I have decided to focus my attention on tidal energy specifically. This topic will serve as the main focus of this essay. Within this essay, I will examine how tidal energy pertains to the construction industry through four distinguished chapters: (1) What kind of tidal technology exist and what does the construction aspect of these tidal technologies require? (2) What are some of the risks and rewards of building a tidal energy plant and is it profitable for a general contractor? (3) What would make tidal energy a more desirable source of renewable energy when compared to others? (4) What would be considered a good site to develop a tidal energy plant? Hopefully, my research will provide general contractors with a better idea of what tidal energy projects will entail and if it’s a viable option to pursue. Keywords: Tidal Energy, Tidal Energy Plant, Tidal Energy Profitability, Tidal Energy Sites, Renewable Energy Introduction Tidal Energy is an underutilized source of energy. Although it is a form of renewable energy, like solar and wind, it differs in that it is produced from hydropower. More specifically, tidal generators convert the energy obtained from the Earth’s tides into what we would consider a useful form of power (i.e.
    [Show full text]
  • La Rance Barrage
    Case Study: La Rance Barrage Project Name La Rance Barrage Location The Rance estuary in Brittany, France Installed capacity 240MW Technology Type Tidal impoundment barrage Project Type/Phase Full scale experimental power plant Year Operational since 1967 Project Description The Rance tidal power plant is located on the estuary of the Rance River, in Brittany, France (Figure 1). Following twenty-five years of research and six years of construction work, the 240MW La Rance Barrage became the first commercial-scale tidal power plant in the world. It was built as a large scale demonstration project for low-head hydro technology. The construction of the tidal power plant started in 1961, and was completed in 1967 1. The Rance estuary has one of the highest tidal ranges in the world (an average of 8 meters, reaching up to 13.5 metres during equinoctial spring tides) which makes it an attractive site for tidal impoundment power generation. The complete barrage is 750m long and 13m high with a reservoir of 22km 2 capable of impounding 180 million cubic meters 1. The structure includes a dam 330m long in which the turbines are housed, a lock to allow the passage of small craft, a rock-fill dam 165m long and a mobile weir with six gates. Before construction of the tidal barrage, two temporary dams were built across the estuary in order to create a dry construction site; an effort which took two years. In July 1963, the Rance was cut off from the ocean and construction of the tidal barrage commenced. This took another three years 1.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Combining Flood Damage Mitigation with Tidal Energy
    COMBINING FLOOD DAMAGE MITIGATION WITH TIDAL ENERGY GENERATION: LOWERING THE EXPENSE OF STORM SURGE BARRIER COSTS David R. Basco, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, 23528, USA Storm surge barriers across tidal inlets with navigation gates and tidal-flow gates to mitigate interior flood damage (when closed) and minimize ecological change (when open) are expensive. Daily high velocity tidal flows through the tidal-flow gate openings can drive hydraulic turbines to generate electricity. Money earned by tidal energy generation can be used to help pay for the high costs of storm surge barriers. This paper describes grey, green, and blue design functions for barriers at tidal estuaries. The purpose of this paper is to highlight all three functions of a storm surge barrier and their necessary tradeoffs in design when facing the unknown future of rising seas. Keywords: storm surge barriers, mitigate storm damage, maintain estuarine ecology, generate renewable energy INTRODUCTION Accelerating sea levels are impacting the over 600 million people worldwide currently living near tidal estuaries in coastal regions. Residential property, public infrastructure, the economy, ports and navigation interests, and the ecosystem are at risk. Climate change has resulted from the burning of fossil fuels (oil, coal, gas, gasoline, etc.) and is the major reason for rising seas. As a result, conversion to renewable energy sources (solar, wind, wave, and tide.) is taking place. However, tidal energy is the only renewable energy resource that is available 24/7 with no downtime due to no sun or no wind or no waves. The daily tidal variation at the entrance to tidal estuaries is always present and is the driving force for the resulting ecology and water quality.
    [Show full text]
  • Severn Tidal Power
    Department of Energy and Climate Change SEVERN TIDAL POWER Feasibility Study Conclusions and Summary Report OCTOBER 2010 Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study: Conclusions and Summary Report Contents Executive summary .................................................................................................... 4 How to respond ....................................................................................................... 9 1. Background .......................................................................................................... 10 The UK’s wave and tidal opportunity ..................................................................... 10 Tidal Stream ...................................................................................................... 12 Wave ................................................................................................................. 12 Tidal range ......................................................................................................... 13 The Severn ........................................................................................................... 14 Schemes studied .................................................................................................. 16 Progress since public consultation ........................................................................ 18 2. The scale of the challenge ................................................................................... 21 2020 – Renewable Energy Strategy ....................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Tidal Power: an Effective Method of Generating Power
    International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 2, Issue 5, May-2011 1 ISSN 2229-5518 Tidal Power: An Effective Method of Generating Power Shaikh Md. Rubayiat Tousif, Shaiyek Md. Buland Taslim Abstract—This article is about tidal power. It describes tidal power and the various methods of utilizing tidal power to generate electricity. It briefly discusses each method and provides details of calculating tidal power generation and energy most effectively. The paper also focuses on the potential this method of generating electricity has and why this could be a common way of producing electricity in the near future. Index Terms — dynamic tidal power, tidal power, tidal barrage, tidal steam generator. —————————— —————————— 1 INTRODUCTION IDAL power, also called tidal energy, is a form of ly or indirectly from the Sun, including fossil fuels, con- Thydropower that converts the energy of tides into ventional hydroelectric, wind, biofuels, wave power and electricity or other useful forms of power. The first solar. Nuclear energy makes use of Earth's mineral depo- large-scale tidal power plant (the Rance Tidal Power Sta- sits of fissile elements, while geothermal power uses the tion) started operation in 1966. Earth's internal heat which comes from a combination of Although not yet widely used, tidal power has poten- residual heat from planetary accretion (about 20%) and tial for future electricity generation. Tides are more pre- heat produced through radioactive decay (80%). dictable than wind energy and solar power. Among Tidal energy is extracted from the relative motion of sources of renewable energy, tidal power has traditionally large bodies of water.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of Water Quality in Rocky Mouth Creek
    Review of water quality in Rocky Mouth Creek FINAL REPORT 27 May, 2012 Review of water quality in Rocky Mouth Creek To Richmond River County Council FINAL REPORT 27 May, 2012 ABN 33 134 851 522 PO Box 409 Brunswick Heads 2483 0402 689 817 [email protected] Aquatic Biogeochemical & Ecological Research Review of water quality in Rocky Mouth Creek FINAL REPORT This report was prepared by ABER Pty Ltd for Richmond River County Council Authors: J. Gay and A. Ferguson Disclaimer This report has been prepared on behalf of and for the exclusive use of Richmond River County Council, and is subject to and issued in accordance with the agreement between Richmond River County Council and ABER Pty Ltd . ABER Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for it in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report by any third party. Copying this report without the permission of Richmond River County Council or ABER Pty Ltd is not permitted. Aquatic Biogeochemical & Ecological Research i Review of water quality in Rocky Mouth Creek FINAL REPORT Executive summary Rocky Mouth Creek drains a small backswamp sub-catchment of the Richmond River catchment and is impacted by severe seasonal acidification due to acid sulphate soil runoff and summer hypoxia due to blackwater and monosulphic black ooze (MBO) inputs. A tidal barrage situated approximately 3.8 km upstream of the confluence with the Richmond River is currently kept open outside of flooding times to promote tidal flushing of poor quality creek water, and only closed during floods to prevent flooding of the low lying Rocky Mouth Creek catchment due to ingress of floodwaters from the main river.
    [Show full text]
  • Research Report 3 - Severn Barrage
    Tidal Power in the UK Research Report 3 - Severn barrage proposals An evidence-based report by Black & Veatch for the Sustainable Development Commission October 2007 Tidal Power in the UK Research Report 3 – Review of Severn Barrage Proposals Final Report July 2007 In association with ABPmer, IPA Consulting Ltd., Econnect Consulting Ltd., Clive Baker, and Graham Sinden (Environmental Change Institute) Sustainable Development Commission Review of Severn Barrage Proposals REVIEW OF SEVERN BARRAGE PROPOSALS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This evidence-based report has been prepared for the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) as research report 3 to support and inform the SDC’s Tidal Power in the UK project. Background Following an introduction to the importance of the Severn estuary, an overview is provided of the extensive studies carried out on the Severn estuary mainly over the last 25 years covering both single basin and two-basin barrage schemes. The studies have shown consistently that tidal power schemes requiring long lengths of embankment (two-basin schemes) result in significantly higher unit costs of energy than equivalent schemes where length of embankment is kept to a minimum. The study considers two schemes for more detailed analysis as follows: • The Cardiff-Weston barrage, as developed and promoted by the Severn Tidal Power Group (STPG) and located between Cardiff, Wales and Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, South West England • The Shoots barrage (formerly the English Stones barrage) as presently proposed by Parsons Brinkerhoff (PB) and located just downstream of the second Severn crossing Studies using various models have shown ebb generation is the preferred mode of operation at the Shoots barrage sites and ebb generation with flood pumping optimises energy output at Cardiff- Weston providing about 3% more energy output than simple ebb generation.
    [Show full text]
  • Severn Tidal Power Reef
    Severn Tidal Power Reef 1 SevernSevern TidalTidal PowerPower ReefReef The MineheadMinehead toto AberthawAberthaw TidalTidal ReefReef ProjectProject Y Felin Heli (saltwater mill) Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION 10.0 FLOODING 1.1 The main objectives 1.1 The ‘Tidal Reef Project’ 11.0 ENVIRONMENTAL 1.1 The ‘Reef’ design 11.1 The ‘Reef System’ 1.1 The alignment 11.2 Migratory fish 11.3 Loss or altered habitat 2.0 BACKGROUND 11.4 Dredging and quarrying 2.1 For over 100 years 11.5 The aesthetics 2.2 The Cardiff and Weston Barrage 2.3 The Reef Concept 12.0 ECONOMICS 2.4 Simple fixed flow turbines 12.1 The materials required 2.5 The length of the Reef 12.2 The generation profile 2.6 The Tidal Power Reef 12.3 The simple fixed-flow turbines 2.7 The Reef Turbines 12.4 A mixed public/private partnership 2.8 A twin barrage project 12.5 The risks during installation 12.6 The number of man-hours 3.0 ACTIVE TIDAL CONTROL 12.7 Revenue earning 3.1 This system 12.8 The ‘Shoots Reef’ 3.2 Having control 3.3 Active control 13.0 THE PROJECT SUMMARY 3.4 The controlling system 13.1 The route 13.2 Remote construction depots 4.0 THE DESIGN PROCESS 13.3 Artificial islands 4.1 It is my opinion 13.4 The construction period 4.2 The main features of the reef 13.5 The impounding ‘Reef’ 4.3 The Reef system 13.6 The sub-sea spine 13.7 Service islands 5.0 THE DESIGN CRITERIA 13.8 Work on the causeway 6.0 CIVIL ENGINEERING 14.0 THE TURBINES 6.1 A simple causeway 6.2 Much of the construction 15.0 THE NAVIGATION 6.3 Rock armoured embankments 15.1 A conventional barrage 6.4 The service
    [Show full text]
  • Your Ref: Avon Flood Management and Tidal Power
    Your Ref: Avon flood management and tidal power Our Ref: 70024175/L002 08 July 2016 CONFIDENTIAL Robin Campbell Kings Orchard Project Manager 1 Queen Street Bristol working on behalf of Flood Risk and Asset Management BS2 0HQ Place Directorate www.wsp-pb.com Bristol City Council Brunel House, St George's Rd, Bristol, BS1 5UY Dear Robin, Subject: Tidal Power Assessment for the River Avon Flood Management Project Thank you for your instructions to prepare a desk-top report on the opportunity for tidal power from the Avon working in conjunction with the potential tidal barrier sites. The views expressed in this paper are based on the principles of tidal power design as applied to the basic characteristics of the River Avon from a high-level strategic viewpoint. Before feasibility of the proposal could be confirmed, additional study would be required on ground conditions, tidal and river flows, costs of construction and operation and the acceptability of the proposed method of operation from technical, environmental and hydrological perspectives. Summary Although significantly smaller than its neighbour, the Severn Estuary, the River Avon shares the same tidal range and therefore has similar potential to generate low carbon energy if its waters can be impounded to create a difference in level between the river and the sea. On the basis of the principal characteristics of the River Avon between the limit of tidal dominance at Netham Weir and Avonmouth, namely the area and volume impounded and the tidal range, and correlating these with other studies undertaken in the Severn Estuary, there is a relatively large energy resource in the tidal stretches of the Avon that can be captured by tidal power.
    [Show full text]
  • Fundy Tidal Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment Final Report
    Fundy Tidal Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment Final Report Prepared by the OEER Association for the Nova Scotia Department of Energy Submitted April, 2008 ISBN# 978-0-9810069-0-1 PREFACE OEER was commissioned by the Nova Scotia Department of Energy to carry out a Strategic Environmen- tal Assessment (SEA) focusing on tidal energy development in the Bay of Fundy. The SEA was led by an OEER Technical Advisory Group (TAG). Throughout the SEA process, OEER received input through community forums, workshops, and written submissions. OEER also appointed twenty-four members to a Stakeholder Roundtable to provide a range of perspectives. The Roundtable held seven day-long meetings in which TAG members also participated. Roundtable members discussed the need for basic sustainability principles to underpin tidal develop- ment and the need to ensure that Nova Scotia communities benefited from tidal development, reviewed the Background Report in detail, and suggested recommendations for consideration by OEER. While OEER is responsible for the conclusions of this SEA Report, all members of the Roundtable indicat- ed that they are in general agreement with the intent of the 29 recommendations.OEER greatly appreci- ates the work of the Roundtable, which has added immense value to the SEA process. Recognizing that SEA processes have not been widely used in Canada, OEER also commends the Nova Scotia Department of Energy for initiating the SEA, a process that focuses on both the sustainability of strategic decisions and the early involvement of stakeholders. Thank you to Communications Nova Scotia, Richard Sanders, Marke Slipp, Minas Basin Pulp and Power, Nova Scotia Power, Clean Current, Nova Scotia Department of Energy, Tidal Electric Canada, AMEC Wind, and GE Wind Energy for contributing photos.
    [Show full text]
  • Fact Sheet – Tidal Power
    fact sheet – tidal Power Tidal power uses the motion of the ocean’s tides to generate electricity. Tidal energy is the result of the interaction of the gravitational pull of the moon and, to a lesser extent the sun, on the seas. Even though the sun is much larger than the moon, it is much further away from Earth, and, therefore, its effect on the tides is much less. The interaction between the Earth, moon and sun History is quite complex. However, in simple terms, the moon’s There are examples of the use of tidal power from gravitational force pulls the water in the oceans towards hundreds of years ago. In the 17th century there were it, so that there are bulges in the ocean on both sides of two mills on London Bridge which got half their power the planet. The bulge on the side of the Earth opposite from the River Thames’ tides running between the the moon is caused by the moon ‘pulling the Earth away’ arches of the bridge. At one time, there were 200 tidal from the water on that side. This causes the tides to mills operating in the British Isles! occur twice a day as the Earth rotates. How Tidal power works If you are on the coast and the moon is directly There are two main types of tidal power: tidal range and overhead, you should experience a high tide. If the tidal stream moon is directly overhead on the opposite side of the planet, you should also experience a high tide.
    [Show full text]
  • Control of an Axial Flow Tidal Stream Turbine
    Control of an Axial Flow Tidal Stream Turbine Ben Whitby Institute of Energy Cardiff University A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy August, 2013 To my mother and father, Linda and Christopher Whitby, for making this journey possible. ii Declaration This work has not previously been accepted in substance for any degree and is not concurrently submitted in candidature for any degree. Signed.......................................................... (Candidate) Date............................... This thesis is being submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of PhD. Signed.......................................................... (Candidate) Date.............................. This thesis is the result of my own independent work/investigation, except where otherwise stated. Other sources are acknowledged by explicit references. Signed.......................................................... (Candidate) Date.............................. I hereby give consent for my thesis, if accepted, to be available for photocopying and for inter- library loan, and for the title and summary to be made available to outside organisations. Signed.......................................................... (Candidate) Date.............................. iii Abstract Tidal stream turbines have the potential to generate electricity from a renewable source that is highly predictable and non-polluting. The United Kingdom’s geographical location means that it has one of the most significant wave and tidal resources in the world. The implications of controlling horizontal axial flow, variable speed tidal stream turbines for the purpose of optimising energy capture, regulating power and reducing mechanical loads has been investigated. The research was separated into two main areas: control of the turbine in below rated flow speeds where the objective was to maximise energy capture, and control of the turbine in high flow speeds where the aim was to regulate power, shed load and ensure the survivability of the turbine.
    [Show full text]