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tidal power infoTaken from this urlhttp://www.matuk.co.uk/docs/Ma...view%20-%20Wave-Tidal%20Power.pdfTidal power arises from the gravitational pull of the sun and moon causing the water levels to change, known as tides. This change in level creates currents in coastal areas and the high density of water compared with air is sufficient to create energy that can be harvested by the use of sub-surfaces turbines. The energy inherent in the tides even at velocities as low as 0.5 m/s can be used to drive a tidal turbine although velocities of 2-4m/s are more typical. A tidal turbine can produce more that four times the energy per square metre of rotor than a wind turbine. What’s more, the movement of the earth, sun and moon are cyclical and therefore predictable aiding the planning of energy production. Thus, tidal power is an environmentally friendly, renewable and emission free, energy source in most aspects. The World Offshore Renewable Energy Report 2004-2008 summarised the market opportunities for tidal turbine power and forecast a total capacity of 20.9MW in 2004-2008 with 84% being that of the UK. The longer term potential power general for tidal energy worldwide is probably still unknown and estimates from different sources are quite varied. A European Commission Joule project reported by Statkraft in Norway, estimated that more than 1000TWh a year can be produced with half of this being available for the EU. Regardless of these varying estimates, tidal power represents significant, new source of renewable energy and this is a rapidly growing field. The current The rate of blade production is projected to double every three years up to 2020 with production of up to 100 tidal turbine blades manufacture per year by 2012 and 600 by 2020 in the UK alone. |
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Latest from Marinet on Tidal power.
Tidal Power SDC Verdict Strong reservations over the Severn Mega-Barrage, enthusiasm over the UK's tidal power generally - SDC verdict The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) study of tidal power in the UK, includes an evaluation of proposals for a Severn barrage. But, contrary to the headlines, it sits on the fence on this while giving more encouragement to tidal power projects that give quicker results, particularly tidal stream turbines. The SDC's report, Tidal Power in the UK, www.sd-commission.org.uk/ includes a series of recommendations to Government on how to develop our tidal resource, and emerging tidal technologies, to provide secure, low carbon electricity for the long term. A Severn Barrage A barrage in the Severn Estuary could supply 4.4% of UK electricity supply (17TWh) from the second greatest tidal range resource in the world, generating electricity for over 120 years. Developing a Severn barrage would result in significant climate change and energy security benefits. However, it would have a major impact on the local environment, with the loss of up to 75% of the existing intertidal habitat, which is internationally protected. There would also be a number of impacts on local communities and the regional economy, and a high risk that unsustainable ancillary development would take place alongside any barrage project. The SDC has therefore laid down a series of tough conditions which a Severn barrage would have to meet in order to be considered sustainable. These include: A Severn barrage must be publicly led as a project and publicly owned as an asset to avoid short-termist decisions and ensure the long-term public interest Full compliance with European Directives on habitats and birds is vital, as is a long-term commitment to creating compensatory habitats on an unprecedented scale Further investigation of the 'environmental opportunity' that might exist for combining climate change mitigation with adaptation through a habitat creation package that actively responds to the impacts of climate change over the long term Development of a Severn barrage must not divert Government attention away from much wider action on climate change. Tidal Stream The UK also has an excellent tidal stream resource, and is leading the world in the development of a wide range of tidal stream devices, several of which are at the testing stage. The UK must 'stay the course' in developing these technologies, as the export and climate change benefits are potentially very large. Despite the encouraging progress made so far, Government could do more to assist these emerging technologies, particularly through flexible financial support, and by providing additional resources to the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney. Tidal Lagoons On tidal lagoons, the SDC found that there is a lack of available evidence on the costs and environmental impacts, mainly due to the absence of any practical experience. We have called on Government to support the development of one or more demonstration project, which would help provide real-life data on their economic and environmental viability. This project was announced in the 2006 Energy Review in response to the business lobby for the Severn mega-barrage. But the study ranged broadly over the various tidal energy opportunities. It concluded the UK has outstanding tidal resources, which could provide at least 10% of the country's electricity. The SDC commissioned five desk-based research reports to inform the work, and received a large volume of evidence from a wide range of organisations and individuals. They also undertook a programme of public and stakeholder engagement to explore opinions and attitudes towards tidal power in the UK and the Severn Estuary resource. The final reports of the SDC commissioned work can be downloaded here - www.sd-commission.org.uk/pages/tidal.html Last week the government pre-empted the SDC report, declaring that a Severn barrage scheme would be "visionary". As no doubt intended, it set the spin for the media. Max Wallis 2nd October 200 |