TIDAL

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  • Created by: wardk
  • Created on: 13-10-17 12:37
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  • TIDAL
    • Availability, Intermittency & Reliability
      • intermittent due to periods of still water so interferes with continuous demand
      • very predictable as cycles can be known years in advance
    • Location
      • requires large tidal range & water volume
      • economically suitable sites are rare
      • Canada, France, Scotland & Korea has the worlds largest tidal plants
      • coastal features can concentrate flow into estuaries or between land masses
    • Technology
      • Tidal Barrages - placed across estuary, restricts tidal flow through turbines by sluice gates
        • La Rance, France has been running for the last 45yrs, consists of 24 turbines, 6 barrage gates & ship lock, successful, road collects tax, high power output
      • In-Stream Turbines - anchored to seabed, rotates with tides, connected to generator
      • Tidal Lagoons -  enclosure structure along coastline, water flows into at HT, water held until LT,water flows out through turbines
    • Energy Density
      • large power output compared to other renewables
    • Economics
      • now commercial in France, Canada, US, China, and Korea
    • Environmental Impacts
      • Barrage/ Lagoon
        • build up of pollutants
        • reduced turbidity due longer periods of static water=richer food chains from increased light
        • obstacle to ships & migrating fish
        • helps prevent flooding during HT
        • increased sediment in low energy areas
        • construction materials from quarries + transport
        • reduced tidal range, decreased feeding area for wading birds
        • aesthetics
      • In-stream turbines
        • increased turbidity (laid fish eggs)
        • power lines could electrocute foraging organisms
        • disrupts ecosystem during construction, requires large sea cranes

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