TIDAL POWER IN THE UK

SENTHIL SUDERSHAN CV

Tidal Power

Tides are caused by the gravitational attraction of the moon and sun acting upon the oceans of the earth as it rotates.

The hydropower that converts the energy of tides into electricity is called TIDAL POWER. Out of all the possible tidal power station sites identified by a recent study, 40% exists in UK

Basically there are two types.1. Tidal Stream2. Tidal Range

Types of Tidal Resources

Tidal Streams: Tidal stream systems make use of the kinetic energy of moving water to power turbines, in a similar way to windmills that use moving air. This method is gaining in popularity because of the lower cost and lower ecological impact compared to barrages.

Tidal Range: The vertical distance between the high and low tides is called tidal range All places with a high tidal range have strong tidal currents and this is harnessed by constructing barrages across them.

Tidal Stream resources in the UK

1. Pentland Firth(60% of the UK resource)

2. Sheltland sites3. North Orkney

sites4. Pentaland Firth

Sites5. Kyle Rhea6. Islay7. Mul of Kintyre8. Rathlin9. Mul of Galloway10.Copeland Island

& Strangford

11.Anglesey12.Lieyn

Peninsula13.Pembrokeshire14.Lundy15.Cape Cornwall

& Land Ends16.Lizard Point17.Bristol

Channel18.Foreland point19.Isle of Wight20.Portland

Tidal range resources in the UK

The prominent Tidal The prominent Tidal Range resources areRange resources areSevern EstuaryMersey EstuaryLoughor EstuaryDuddon EstuaryWyre EstuaryThames Estuary

“THE SEVERN BARRAGE”

TThe he Severn BarrageSevern Barrage is the main proposed is the main proposed tidal power tidal power station to be built station to be built across the Bristol Channel (Severn Estuary). The River Severn has a across the Bristol Channel (Severn Estuary). The River Severn has a tidal tidal rangerange of 14 metres - the second highest in the world - making it perfect for of 14 metres - the second highest in the world - making it perfect for tidal power generation.tidal power generation.There are two main barrage proposals on the table as on Feb 24,2010 areThere are two main barrage proposals on the table as on Feb 24,2010 are

Other barrages in Severn Estuary areBeachley BarrageFleming Lagoon Bridgwater Bay Lagoon

Cardiff-Weston Barrage - located between Brean Down and Lavernock Point, estimated to cost £20.9bn and generate 16.8TWh/year or some 4.4% of UK electricity. Shoots Barrage - located near the Severn road crossings, estimated to cost £3.2bn to construct and generate 2.7TWh/year or just under 1% of UK electricity

Advantages & Disadvantages

Does not emit CO2 or any other wastes

Inexpensive fuel source as it uses water

Elec. produced is reliable as tides are predictable

Acts as a ready made road bridge

Initial high cost Power generated

does not match with the time of demand

Limited construction sites

Affects marine life

ProjectionYear Energy consumption

of UK in PJTidal Contribution in %

Tidal Contribution in PJ

2010 33.3 0 NIL

2015 35.3 1 .353

2020 37.9 5 1.9

2025 45.3 8 3.6

2030 62.5 15 9.3

ConclusionThe future of Tidal power in UK is very promising as

1. It is an island nation with huge energy resources in their tidal currents

2. Tidal power can be used cost-effectively on scales from very small to very large, using new simple technology.

3. The tidal energy is so predictable and one can practically adjust to it.

4. It is clean non-polluting energy that can be tapped affordably

Thank you