How tidal range electricity generation could meet future demand and
storage problems

Date:
June 21, 2023
Source:
Lancaster University
Summary:
Tidal range schemes are financially viable and could lower energy
bills say researchers. Research combined a tidal range power
generation model with its cost model to demonstrate the viability
of tidal power. The research demonstrates the benefits of tidal
energy, which does not suffer from unpredictable intermittency
as power is generated both day and night, and in windy or calm
weather. The creation of a tidal barrage could operate for 120
years or more to meet future demand and storage problems.


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FULL STORY ========================================================================== Tidal range schemes are financially viable and could lower energy bills
say researchers.

Research by Lancaster University's School of Engineering and the UK Centre
for Ecology and Hydrology combined a tidal range power generation model
with its cost model to demonstrate the viability of tidal power.

Professor George Aggidis, Head of Energy Engineering at Lancaster
University, said: "The obvious question for the UK, with one of the best
tidal resources globally, is why haven't we already got a tidal barrage scheme?" The research published inEnergy demonstrates the benefits of
tidal energy, which does not suffer from unpredictable intermittency as
power is generated both day and night.

The creation of a tidal barrage could operate for 120 years or more to
meet future demand and storage problems.

Professor Aggidis said: "There is an urgent need to kick-start the
selection and development of schemes around Britain. Tidal range
generation is predictable renewable energy driven by the gravitational
pull of the moon and sun. The environmental and economic benefits are
huge as barrages can protect coastal areas from flooding and sea level
rise. With two-way generation and pumping, the full range of existing
tides can be maintained within impoundments to protect and support
low-lying intertidal areas such as saltmarshes and mudflats.

Our studies show that with modern technology and operating procedures, estuarine barrages are the only practical way to protect these vital
habitats.

Coastal lagoons have also been proposed for several locations around
Britain's coast. Schemes will provide jobs in construction and
manufacturing for generations to come as well as opportunities for
transport, communication, conservation, and recreation. In the long-term
they will provide reliable power with reduced costs." The UK has the
second highest tidal range in the world and offers the UK a level of independence from global prices and in the long-term cheap clean power.

Currently the Tidal Range projects under commercial consideration offer
an achievable 10 GW installed capacity, delivering over 20TWh/y, about 5%
of UK energy use. Based on the UK relevant resource availability there
is the potential to further increase this installed capacity over 4 to
5 times with other tidal range project sites around the UK.

Such developments are essential to assist the UK to reduce its carbon
emissions by replacing fossil fuel power stations. The current UK
total generating capacity is around 42.8 GW that includes fossil fuels
(19.2GW 44.9%), renewables (16.5GW, 38.5%), and low carbon (7.1GW --
16.6%). The La Rance Tidal Range plant in France today generates the
cheapest electricity in the EDF fleet -- cheaper than nuclear.

* RELATED_TOPICS
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# Energy_Technology # Electricity # Energy_and_Resources
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o Earth_&_Climate
# Energy_and_the_Environment # Renewable_Energy #
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* RELATED_TERMS
o Hydroelectricity o Renewable_energy o Tide o Power_station
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========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Lancaster_University. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. David Vandercruyssen, Simon Baker, David Howard, George
Aggidis. Tidal
range generation: combining the Lancaster zero-dimension generation
and cost models. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers -
Energy, 2023; 1 DOI: 10.1680/jener.22.00077 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230621105226.htm

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