Dynamic Tidal Power
Dynamic Tidal Power or DTP is a new, previously implemented method of energy from tidal movements. It consists of a mound -like, perpendicular to the coast with a structure at the far end lying in the sea parallel to the coast T-shaped barrier. This long T- dam interrupts the running parallel to the coast, tidal waves, so that a water level difference arises on the opposite sides of the barrier, which is used to drive a number in the dam integrated bi -directional turbines. Oscillating tidal waves propagating along continental shores, contain large hydraulic potential and exist eg in China, Korea and the UK. The concept was patented in 1997 by the Dutch coastal engineers Kees Hulsbergen and Rob Steyn and published in 2003.
Description
A DTP dam is a 30 km or longer barrier which extends at right angles to the coast in the open sea into it. In many coastal areas of the world the tide movement is parallel to the coastline: the entire ocean water moves in one direction and later in the day back to the other. A DTP dam is long enough to exert influence on the horizontal flow movements so that a difference in water levels hydraulic potential can be measured on both sides of the dam. This difference in water levels can be converted into energy through a variety of integrated in the dam low -head turbines.
Maximum water level difference
Estimates of the maximum difference in water levels, which are obtained by different dam configurations are based on numerical and analytical models. Field information on the measurement of water level differences at natural barriers confirm the generation of a significant hydraulic potential. The ( maximum ) difference in water levels higher than you would expect in a uniform flow (such as rivers ). It reaches values up to a few meters, which is attributable to the non-permanent behavior of tidal currents ( acceleration).
Potential Benefits
High performance
It is estimated that some of the largest dams can have an installed capacity of 15 GW ( 15,000 MW). A DTP dam with 8 GW of installed capacity and an efficiency of 30 % could generate 21 TWh of energy annually. For comparison, a normal European consumes 6800 kWh per year, so that a DTP dam could produce energy for 3.09 million Europeans.
Stable power supply
Tidal energy is very predictable by the deterministic property of the tides and the independence of weather or climate change. Although the performance varies with the different tidal phases (ebb, flood ), but this could be achieved by the combination of two dams at an appropriate distance (about 150-250 miles), in each of which a dam the maximum electrical power and the other dam, the minimum power generated can be canceled. Thus, DTP, in contrast to wind and solar energy, ensure a constant supply of energy for the power grid.
High Availability
DTP does not require a high natural tidal range, but an open coast where the Tidenausbreitung takes place along the coast. Such tidal constellations exist in many places of the world, suggesting that the potential of DTP is very high. Studies that were conducted on the Chinese coast, estimate the total availability for Dynamic Tidal Power in China to 80-150 GW.
Many complementary functions
The long dam can be combined with various functions, such as coastal protection, deepwater and LNG ports, aquaculture, controlled land reclamation and connections between islands and the mainland. These additional functions can split the investment costs and thus help to reduce the cost per kWh.
Implementation difficulties
To test The DTP concept on a small scale, is not effective because hardly any energy can be recovered. A 1 km long dam would not be sufficient, since the DTP power generation capacity increases with each unit of length squared ( increase hydraulic potential and volume linearly at any dam extension, so that a quadratic increase in energy output takes place more or less). Economically, the concept would probably only at a dam of about 30 km in length.
State of technological development
As of 2012, no DTP dam was built. Various mathematical and physical models were performed to model and predict the ' hydraulic potential ' or the water level difference of a DTP dam. The interaction between tides and long dams were observed in large engineering projects such as the ' Delta Works ' and the conclusion dike in the ' Netherlands ' and recorded. The interaction between tidal flow with natural ' peninsulas ' is also well known and relevant data can be used to calibrate numerical models of tides. Observed water level differences come close up to the current analytical and numerical models.
While some of the key elements are:
- Bi-directional turbine (which can generate power in both directions) to low potential in high-volume hydraulic. Operational units already exist for the sea water use, achieve an efficiency of 75%.
- Dam construction methods. With modular caissons ( Cassions concrete blocks ), a dam could be built. The caissons could be built on land and then transported to the dam site.