Module-4 Renewable Energy Power Plants

TIDAL ENERGY

Tidal energy is produced by the surge of ocean waters during the rise and fall of tides. Tidal energy is a
renewable source of energy harnessed by converting energy from tides into useful forms of power, mainly
electricity using various methods.

TIDES AND WAVES AS ENERGY SUPPLIERS AND THEIR MECHANICS

 Tidal power is taken from the Earth's oceanic tides. Tidal forces are periodic variations in gravitational
attraction exerted by celestial bodies. These forces create corresponding motions or currents in the world's
oceans.
 Due to the strong attraction to the oceans, a bulge in the water level is created, causing a temporary
increase in sea level.
 As the Earth rotates, this bulge of ocean water meets the shallow water adjacent to the shoreline and
creates a tide. This occurrence takes place in an unfailing manner, due to the consistent pattern of the moon's
orbit around the earth.
 The magnitude and character of this motion reflects the changing positions of the Moon and Sun relative
to the Earth, the effects of Earth's rotation, and local geography of the seafloor and coastlines.
 The rise of seawater is called high tide and fall in seawater is called low tide and this process of rising and
receding of water waves happen twice a day and cause enormous movement of water. Thus, enormous rising
and falling movement of water is called tidal energy, which is a large source of energy and can be harnessed
in many coastal areas of the world.

FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TIDAL POWER

 Tidal power or tidal energy is a form of hydropower that converts the energy obtained from tides into
useful forms of power, mainly electricity.
 Although not yet widely used, tidal energy has potential for future electricity generation.
 Tidal power is the only technology that draws on energy inherent in the orbital characteristics of the
Earth–Moon system, and to a lesser extent in the Earth–Sun system.
 Greater tidal variation and higher tidal current velocities can dramatically increase the potential of a

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site for tidal electricity generation.
 Tidal power is also relatively prosperous at low speeds, in contrast to wind power. Water has one thousand
times higher density than air and tidal turbines can generate electricity at speeds as low as 1m/s, or 2.2mph.
 Tidal energy is clean, renewable, and sustainable form of energy resource. It has no impact on climate
because it does not produce any greenhouse gases.

HARNESSING TIDAL ENERGY

The power generation from tides involves flow between an artificially developed basin and the basic scheme
can be elaborated by having two or more basins. Accordingly we can have two different types of
arrangements .

1) Single basin arrangement

2) Double basin arrangement.

1) Single basin or pool system

The simple – pool tidal system has one pool or basin behind a dam that is filled from the ocean at high tide
and emptied to it at low to tides. Both filling and emptying processes take place during short periods of time:
the filling when ocean is at high tide while the water in the pool is at low tide level, the emptying when the
ocean is at low tide and the pool at high tide level. The flow of water in both directions is used to drive a
number of reversible water turbines, each driving an electrical generator. Electric power would thus
be generated during two short periods during each tidal period, of 12 h, 25 min or once every 6h, 12.5 min.

The generation of power in a single basin system can be carried out either as
a) Single ebb – cycle system or
b) Single tide cycle system or
c) Double cycle system.

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a) Single ebb – cycle system.

When high tide comes , the sluice gates are opened to permit the sea water to enter the basin or reservoir,
while the turbines sets are shut. The reservoir thus starts filling while its level rises, till the maximum tide
level is reached. At the beginning of the ebb tide the sluice gates are closed. Then the generation of power
takes place when the sea is ebbing (Flowing back of tide) and the water from the basin flows through the
turbine in to the lower level sea. The generation of power can be continued till there is sufficient head
difference between the level of water in the reservoir and the sea. The turbines are closed when the level of
water becomes same on both the sides; sluice gates are opened to repeat the cycle.
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b) Single tide cycle system:
In a single tide cycle system , the generation of power is carried out when sea at flood tide. The water of the
sea is admitted in to the basin through the turbines. As the flood tide period is over and the sea level starts
falling again, the generation is stopped. The basin is drained in to the sea through the sluice ways. This
system needs large size plant, operating for short period and hence less efficient as compared to ebb tide
operation.
c) Double cycle system
In this system power generation is carried out during both high tide as well as ebb tides. The flow of water in
both the directions is used to drive a number of reversible water turbines, each driving an electrical
generator. Electric power would thus be generated during two short period during each tidal period of 12 h,
25 min or once every 6h, 12.5 min

2) Double basin arrangement:

Two basin system is one that is much less dependent on tidal fluctuation but at the expense of more complex
and hence more costly dam construction. A inland basin is enclosed by dam A and divides into a high pool
and a low pool by dam B. By proper gating in the dam A, the high pool gets periodically filled at high tide
from the ocean and the low pool gets periodically emptied at low tide. Water flows from the high to the low
pool through the turbines that are situated in the dam B. The power generation thus continues
simultaneously with the filling up the high pool. The capacities of these two pools are large enough in
relation to the water flow between them that the fluctuations in the head are minimized, which results in
continuous and much more uniform power generation. At the end of the flood tide when high pool is full and
the water level in it is maximum, its sluice gates are closed. When ebb tide level gets lower than the water
level in low pool , its sluice gates are opened whereby the water level in low pool, which was rising and
reducing the operating head, starts falling with the ebb. This continues until the head and water level in high
pool is sufficient to run the turbines. With the next flood tide cycle repeats. With this twin pool system, a
longer and more continuous period of generation per day is possible.

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Advantages of tidal power:
1) Tidal power is inexhaustible in nature.
2) Tidal power generation is free from pollution.
3) The requirement of valuable land is less.
4) Peak power demand can be met if it effectively works in combination with
hydroelectric or thermal system.
5) It can provide better recreational facilities to visitors and holiday makers, in
addition to the possibility of fish farming in the tidal basins.

Limitations of tidal power:

1) Generating power is always dependent on the tidal range.
2) The generating efficiency of the turbines affected by the variations in the operating head.
3) Power generation is intermittent in nature.
4) The selecting of suitable turbine operating under varying head condition is difficult.
5) Load sharing of power with the grid is very difficult due variation in power cycle.
6) Maintenance cost of the machinery is high due to the corrosive nature of sea water.
7) Construction in sea is found difficult
8) Cost of power generation is not favorable compared to other sources of energy.
9) It may affect fishing and navigation.

 Tidal stream generator: Tidal stream generators make use of the kinetic energy of moving water to power
turbines, in a similar way to wind turbines that use the wind to power turbines. Some tidal generators can be
built into the structures of existing bridges or are entirely submersed, thus avoiding concerns over the impact
on the natural landscape.

 Tidal barrage: Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in height (or hydraulic
head) between high and low tides. When using tidal barrages to generate power, the potential energy from a
tide is seized through the strategic placement of specialized dams. When the sea level rises and the tide begins
to come in, the temporary increase in tidal power is channeled into a large basin behind the dam, holding a
large amount of potential energy. With the receding tide, this energy is then converted into mechanical energy
as the water is released through large turbines that create electrical power through the use of generators

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 Dynamic tidal power: Dynamic tidal power (or DTP) is a theoretical technology that would exploit an
interaction between potential and kinetic energies in tidal flows. It proposes that very long dams (for example:
30–50 km length) be built from coasts straight out into the sea or ocean, without enclosing an area

 Tidal lagoon: A new tidal energy design option is to construct circular retaining walls embedded with
turbines that can capture the potential energy of tides. The created reservoirs are similar to those of tidal
barrages, except that the location is artificial and does not contain a pre-existing ecosystem. The lagoons can
also be in double (or triple) format without pumping or with pumping that will flatten out the power output.

Fig: 4.5: Schematic layout of tidal power house

The above layout is the tidal power house or tidal power plant that consists of a barrage built across the tidal
reach to create pool in which water can be stored. Inside the barrage reversible water turbines and floodgates
are installed. During the occurrence of high tide and low tides, the flood gates open and close respectively.
One tide cycle is identified as the shift from low tide to high tide and back to low tide. The time duration to
complete one tidal cycle is approximately 12.5 hours. During this period the pool is filled and empties. Theses
may be classified as single basin system and double basin system

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LIMITATIONS
 Economic recovery of energy from tides is feasible only at those sites where energy is concentrated in the
form of tidal range of about 5 m or more and geography provide favorable site for economic construction of
a tidal plant, thus it is site specific
 Due to mismatch of lunar driven period of 12.5 hours and human (solar) period of 24 hours, the optimum
tidal power generation is not in phase with demand
 Changing tidal range in two weeks period produces changing power
 The turbines are required to operate at variable heads
 Requirement of large water volume flow at low head necessitates parallel operation of many turbines
 Tidal plant disrupts marine life at the location and can cause potential harm to ecology
 It requires very large capital cost at most potential installations
 The location of sites may be distant from the demand centers

WAVE ENERGY
Wave energy comes from the interaction between the winds and the surfaces of oceans. The energy available
varies with the size and frequency of waves. It is estimated that about 10 kW of power is available for every
metre width of the wave front.
Wave energy when active is very concentrated; therefore, wave energy conversion into useful energy can be
carried out at high power densities. A large variety of devices (e.g. hydraulic accumulator wave machine ;
high-level reservoir machine ; Dolphin-type wave-power machine ; Dam-Atoll wave machine) have been
developed for harvesting of energy but these are complicated and fragile in face of gigantic power of ocean
storms.

Advantages and Disadvantages:

Following are the advantages and disadvantages of wave energy:
Advantages:
[Link] is relatively pollution free.
[Link] is a free and renewable energy source.
[Link] removal of power, the waves are in placed state.
[Link]-power devices do not require large land masses.
[Link] there is a large wave activity, a string of devices have to be used. The system not only produces
electricity but also protects coast lines from the destructive action of large waves, minimises erosion and help
create artificial harbour.
Disadvantages:
[Link] of dependability.
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[Link] scarcity of accessible sites of large wave activity.
[Link] construction of conversion devices is relatively complicated.
[Link] devices have to withstand enormous power of stormy seas.
[Link] are unfavourable economic factors such as large capital investment and costs of repair,
replacement and maintenance.

Problems associated with wave energy collection:

The collection of wave energy entails the following problems:
[Link] variation of frequency and amplitude makes it an unsteady source.
[Link], installed to collect and to transfer wave energy from far off oceans, will have to with stand
adverse weather conditions.
• Up till now no major development programme for taming wave energy has been carried but successfully
through any country. Small devices are available, however, and are in limited use as power supplies for buoys
and navigational aids. From the engineering development point of view, wave energy development is not
nearly as far long as wind and tidal energy.

Oscillating Water Columns (OWC)

These devices generate electricity from the wave-driven rise and fall of water in a cylindrical shaft. The rising
and falling water column drives air into and out of the top of the shaft, powering an air-driven turbine. The
Oscillating Water Column generates electricity in a two step process. As a wave enters the column, it forces
the air in the column up the closed column past a turbine, and increases the pressure within the column.
As the wave retreats, the air is drawn back past the turbine due to the reduced air pressure on the ocean side
of turbine. Much research is occurring internationally to develop oscillating water columns which require less
stringent siting conditions, including the OSPREY and floating columns, such as the Japanese Mighty Whale
.

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Floats or Pitching Devices
These devices generate electricity from the bobbing or pitching action of a floating object. The object can be
mounted to a floating raft or to a device fixed on the ocean floor. Floating wave energy devices generate
electricity through the harmonic motion of the floating part of the device. In these systems, the devices rise
and fall according to the motion of the wave and electricity is generated through their motion.

Wave Surge or Focusing Devices

These shoreline devices, also called "tapered channel" systems, rely on a shore-mounted structure to channel
and concentrate the waves, driving them into an elevated reservoir. These focusing surge devices are sizable
barriers that channel large waves to increase wave height for redirection into elevated reservoirs.
ave energy power plant is a shoreline-based system called the Tapered Channel (Tapchan). The principle here
is capital intensive yet has potential due to its ruggedness and simplicity. A tapering collector funnels incoming
waves in a channel. As the wave travels down the narrowing channel it increases in height till the water spills
into an elevated reservoir. The water trapped in the reservoir can be released back to the sea similar to
conventional hydroelectric power plants to generate electricity. The advantage of this particular system lies in
its ability to buffer storage which dampens the irregularity of the waves. However, the Tapchan system does
require a low tidal range and suitable shoreline topography -limiting its application world-wide. A
demonstration prototype of this design has been running since 1985 and plans are under consideration to build
a commercial scale plant in Java.

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OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY

About 70% of earth’s surface is covered by ocean which is continuously heated by solar heat. Solar heat is
stored as uneven distribution of heat between warm surface water and cold deep ocean water (called gradient)
from where it is harnessed as ocean thermal energy

PRINCIPLE OF WORKING
The basic principle of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is explained as follows:
Closed cycle OTEC
 The warm water from the ocean surface is collected and pumped through the heat exchanger to heat and
vaporize a working fluid, and it develops pressure in a secondary cycle.
 Then, the vaporized working fluid expands through a heat engine (similar to a turbine) coupled to an electric
generator that generates electrical power.
 Working fluid vapor coming out of heat engine is condensed back into liquid by a condenser.
 Cold deep ocean water is pumped through condenser where the vapor is cooled and returns to liquid state.
 The liquid (working fluid) is pumped again through heat exchanger and cycle repeats. It is known as
closed-cycle OTEC.

Open cycle OTEC

 If ocean surface water is high, enough propane or similar material is used as working fluid; otherwise,
for low-temperature surface water, fluid such as ammonia with low boiling point is used.
 In an open-cycle OETC, warm ocean surface water is pumped into a low-pressure boiler to boil and produce
steam.
 Then, the steam is used in steam turbine to drive an electrical generator for producing electrical power. The
cold deep sea water is used in condenser to condense steam.
 Some fractions of electrical power generated by OTEC plants are used for operating and controlling
equipment involved in power plants, and high electrical power is used for feeding to several other energy
consumers.
 Warm ocean surface water flows into the evaporator which is the high-temperature heat source. A fluid
pump is utilized to force the fluid in a heat evaporator where liquid fluid vaporizes.
 Then, the vapor of boiling fluid enters the turbine expander coupled with an electrical generator to generate
electrical power.
 The vapor released from the turbine enters into condenser where it condenses. The cold deep sea water is
pumped through the condenser for heat rejection from vapor fluid and condenses it as liquid fluid.
 The liquid fluid is again pumped through evaporator and cycle repeats. As temperature difference
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between high- and low-temperature ends is large enough, the cycle will continue to operate and generate
power.

Open-Cycle OTEC System

The open-cycle system is generally similar to the closed-cycle system and uses the same basic components.
The open-cycle system uses the warm seawater as the working fluid. The warm seawater passing through the
evaporator 2 is converted to steam 3, which drives the turbine/generator. After leaving the turbine 5, the steam
is cooled by the cold seawater to form desalinated water. The desalinated water is pure fresh water for domestic
and commercial use.

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Hybrid OTEC System
The hybrid system uses parts of both open-cycle and closed-cycle systems to produce electricity and
desalinated water. In this arrangement, electricity is generated in the closed-cycle system and the warm and
cold seawater discharges are passed through the flash evaporator and condenser of the open-cycle system to
produce fresh water.

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages
1. OTEC uses clean, renewable, natural resources. Warm surface seawater and cold water from the ocean
depths replace fossil fuels to produce electricity.
2. Suitably designed OTEC plants will produce little or no carbon dioxide or other polluting chemicals.
3. OTEC systems can produce fresh water as well as electricity. This is a significant advantage in island
areas where fresh water is limited.
4. There is enough solar energy received and stored in the warm tropical ocean surface layer to provide
most, if not all, of present human energy needs.
5. The use of OTEC as a source of electricity will help reduce the state's almost complete dependence on
imported fossil fuels

Disadvantages
1. OTEC-produced electricity at present would cost more than electricity generated from fossil fuels at their
current costs.
2. OTEC plants must be located where a difference of about 20o C occurs year round. Ocean depths must be
available fairly close to shore-based facilities for economic operation. Floating plant ships could provide more
flexibility.
3. No energy company will put money in this project because it only had been tested in a very small scale.
4. Construction of OTEC plants and lying of pipes in coastal waters may cause localised damage to reefs and
near-shore marine ecosystems.
5. Construction of floating power plants is difficult.
6. Plant size is limited to about 100 MW due to large size of components.
7. Very heavy investment is required.

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OTEC POWER STATIONS IN THE WORLD
 Makai Ocean Engineering’s Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) power plant in the US is the
world’s biggest operational facility of its kind with an annual power generation capacity of 100kW,
which is sufficient to power 120 homes in Hawaii.
 OTEC plant in Japan overseen by Saga University

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH OTEC

 High cost: Electricity generated by OTEC plants is more expensive than electricity produced by
chemical and nuclear fuels.
 Complexity: OTEC plants must be located where a difference of about 20°C occurs year round. Ocean
depths must be available fairly close to shore-based facilities for economic operation. Floating plant ships
could provide more flexibility.
 Acceptability: For the large-scale production of electricity and other products, OTEC plants are poorly
acceptable due to their high costs.
 Ecosystem damage: It is obvious by setting OTEC plants.
 Lower efficiency: A higher temperature difference between ocean surface warm water and cold deep ocean
water is required for highly efficient operation of plant.

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