On the potential of linked-basin tidal power plants: An operational and coastal modelling assessment¶
Our recent work on the operational modelling and the optimisation of linked-basin tidal energy systems has now been published in Renewable Energy. The work was a result of a joint effort with researchers of the Department of Earth Science and Engineering at Imperial College London.
Abstract
Single-basin tidal range power plants have the advantage of predictable energy outputs, but feature non-generation periods in every tidal cycle. Linked-basin tidal power systems can reduce this variability and consistently generate power. However, as a concept the latter are under-studied with limited information on their performance relative to single-basin designs. In addressing this, we outline the basic principles of linked-basin power plant operation and report results from their numerical simulation. Tidal range energy operational models are applied to gauge their capabilities relative to conventional, single-basin tidal power plants. A coastal ocean model (Thetis) is then refined with linked-basin modelling capabilities. Simulations demonstrate that linked-basin systems can reduce non-generation periods at the expense of the extractable energy output relative to conventional tidal lagoons and barrages. As an example, a hypothetical case is considered for a site in the Severn Estuary, UK. The linked-basin system is seen to generate energy 80–100% of the time over a spring-neap cycle, but harnesses at best 30% of the energy of an equivalent-area single-basin design.
Animation: Linked-basin lagoon operation in time for continuous power generation Figure : Sensitivity of tidal power plant performance subject to operational strategy and tidal amplitude.