Dynamic tidal power
Dynamic Tidal Power or DTP is a new, previously unrealized method of generating energy from tidal movements . It consists of a dam-like structure at right angles to the coast with a T-shaped barrier parallel to the coast at the far end of the sea. This long T-dam interrupts the tidal waves that run parallel to the coast, creating a water level difference on opposite sides of the barrier, which is used to power a number of bi-directional turbines integrated into the dam . Oscillating tidal waves that run along continental shores contain great hydraulic potential and exist e.g. B. in China , Korea and Great Britain . The concept was registered as a patent in 1997 by the Dutch coastal engineers Kees Hulsbergen and Rob Steijn and published in 2003.
description
A DTP dam is a 30 km or longer barrier that extends into the open sea at right angles to the coast. In many coastal areas of the world, the tidal movement runs parallel to the coastline: all sea water moves in one direction and later in the day back again in the other. A DTP dam is long enough to influence the horizontal flow movements so that a water level difference (see hydraulic potential ) can be measured on both sides of the dam. This water level difference can be converted into energy by a large number of low-head turbines integrated into the dam.
Maximum water level difference
Estimates of the maximum water level difference, which are obtained by different dam configurations, are based on numerical and analytical models. Field information on the measurement of water level differences in natural barriers confirms the generation of a significant hydraulic potential. The (maximum) water level difference is higher than one would expect with a steady flow (as with rivers). It reaches values of up to a few meters, which is attributable to the non-permanent behavior of tidal currents (acceleration).
Possible benefits
High performance
It is estimated that some of the largest dams can have an installed capacity of over 15 GW (15,000 MW). A DTP dam with 8 GW installed capacity and a utilization rate of 30% could generate 21 TWh of energy annually. For comparison: an average European consumes 6800 kWh per year, so a DTP dam could produce energy for 3.09 million Europeans.
Stable energy supply
Tidal energy is very predictable due to the deterministic nature of the tides and the independence from weather or climate change. The output varies with the different tide phases (ebb, flow), but this could be achieved by combining two dams with a corresponding distance (approx. 150 - 250 km), in which one dam has the maximum electrical output and the other dam the minimum Power generated, canceled. In contrast to wind and solar energy, DTP can guarantee a constant supply of energy to the power grid.
High availability
DTP does not require a high natural tidal range , but an open coast, where the tidal propagation takes place along the coast. Such tidal constellations exist in many places around the world, which suggests that the potential of DTP is very high. Studies conducted on the Chinese coast estimate the overall availability for Dynamic Tidal Power in China to be 80-150 GW.
Many complementary functions
The long dam can be combined with various functions, such as coastal protection , deep sea and LNG ports, aquaculture facilities , controlled land reclamation and connections between islands and the mainland. These additional functions can split up the investment costs and thus help to reduce the costs per kWh.
Realization difficulties
Testing the DTP concept on a small scale is not effective because hardly any energy can be extracted. A dam length of 1 km would not be sufficient, since the DTP power generation capacity increases with every unit of length squared (hydraulic potential and volume increase more or less linearly with every dam extension, so that there is a quadratic increase in energy yield). The concept would probably only be economical with a dam approximately 30 km in length.
State of technical development
As of 2012, no DTP dam has yet been built. Different mathematical and physical models were carried out to model and predict the hydraulic potential or the water level difference of a DTP dam. The interaction between tides and long dams has been observed and recorded in large engineering projects such as the “ Delta Works ” and the final dike in the Netherlands . The interaction of tidal currents with natural peninsulas is also well known and such data can be used to calibrate numerical models of tides. Observed water level differences come close to the current analytical and numerical models.
Some of the key elements needed are:
- Bidirectional turbines (which can generate energy in both directions) for low hydraulic potential at high volume. Operational units already exist for the use of seawater, which achieve an efficiency of 75%.
- Dam construction methods. A dam could be built using modular floating boxes ( cassions made from concrete blocks). The floating boxes could be built on land and then transported to the dam site.
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c K. Hulsbergen, R. Steijn, G. van Banning, G. Klopman: Dynamic Tidal Power - A new approach to exploit tides . 2008. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
- ^ Marieke Aarden: Getijdenkracht lift mee naar Schiphol in zee ( Dutch ) Volkskrant . November 28, 1998. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
- ↑ Rijkert Knoppers: Dertig kilometer electriciteit ( Dutch ) NRC Handelsblad . January 16, 1999. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
- ↑ Bas Keijts: Meer vermogen met eb en vloed (Dutch) . In: Land en Water . Retrieved May 23, 2012.
- ↑ Tidal current energy converter . Retrieved March 12, 2012.
- ↑ Dynamic Tidal Power simulation video . Retrieved February 17, 2012.
- ↑ Chiang Mei: Note on tidal diffraction by a coastal barrier . March 3, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
- ↑ Chiang Mei: Note on tidal diffraction by a coastal barrier (full article on POWER website) . March 3, 2012. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
- ^ Nuclear Power in France . Retrieved May 23, 2012.
