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About Tidal Farms

Tidal motion in the ocean converted to electric power is considered tidal . There are a numerous ways in which tidal power can be produced, for example a tidal barrage power systems take advantage of differences between high tides and low tides by using a form of a dam system, to block receding water during ebb periods. At low tide, water behind the dam is released, and the water passes through a turbine that generates electricity. Tidal stream power systems use the ocean currents to drive turbines, particularly in areas around islands or coasts where these currents are fast. They can be installed as tidal farms where turbines are stretched across a channel—or as tidal turbines, which resemble underwater wind turbines. Wave power systems use the up-and-down motion of waves to drive energy production and can be installed in shoreline areas as well as offshore. Generally, the areas of greatest potential for wave energy development are the latitudes with the highest winds (latitudes 40°–60° N and S) on the eastern shores of the world’s oceans. Strategic possible places where location would be most beneficial would include areas that have large potential for wave power. Areas such as in the British Isles and the Pacific Northwest of the United States.

With the introduction of new energy, like all frontiers, there are unknown risks and concerns. Tidal farms have moving parts submerged in bodies of water which would be in an environment shared with marine mammals and other sea creatures. There are risks involved with these creatures colliding with the turbines resulting in injury or death. A sea mammal research group conducted a study in order to obtain information on how seals would potentially react to tidal turbines in their environment. The researchers used tidal turbine sounds simulating the what the turbines would sound like in a specific coastal  channel subject to strong currents. The geographical location would provided a realistic place where turbines would be set up. Using GPS tagged seals as subject and observation from shore, the researchers were able to conclude an 11-41% reduction in use of the areas by the seals. The information concluded from this experiment could be useful to policy makers who are in charge of making decisions regarding development in the turbine industry.

Research and Development

A mathematical optimization approach is used design turbine farm layouts. Using the environmental parameters such as water depth and incorporating them using mathematical formulas, a farm layout can be developed and tested. Through this research and development, factors such as the number of turbines, location of turbines and overall farm profit could be accurately tested and predicted.

In Brittany France, a french tidal farm has deployed its first of two 500 KW turbines. The Project is located 16 miles offshore and has a depth of 35 meters. Once the power is generated it will be converted and transported to an onshore site located in the Arcouest Peninsula in Ploubazlanec. This project contributes towards the progress in a shifts towards renewable energy and tidal energy in particular.

Sea Bed Turbine

In Iran there have been interest in development of tidal stream energy due to its predictability, and consistency. Faculty of Civil Engineering at the university of Tarbiat Modares University have identified potential sites of interest of these farms. Locations include the Persian Gulf, the Oman Sea, Khowran Straight, Hengam Island and Greater Tunb Island. Cost of energy, power output, Tariff rates and expected return on investments have also been factors analyzed and studied by the university research group.

Methods have been developed in order to determine the most suitable sites for tidal farms. Factors considered in the selection of locations include potential to provide the greatest power performance, the least amount of cost, and the least amount of inconvenience towards marine life. A case study done in the Bristol Channel used a hydrodynamic model on a Matlab-based program in order to obtain its results.

Leaders in Practice

The company Ocean Flow used Siemens technology to design a semi-submersible turbine. The models created have proven to be able to withstand sea conditions excellently. The company claims its model creates less disturbances to its surrounding ecosystem, and cost less to deploy. A key feature to this model set up is the platform that the turbine rest on. It was developed at Newcastle University School of Marine Science and Technology in 2006. The Platform is suitable to withstand harsh conditions in deep depth of the ocean. Senior development engineer at OceanFlow Mark Knos commented on the project and stated that they had created a 1/40th scale model to test and a 1/10 scale model as well. Both models were tested and have provided promising results.