Besides an “index”, annexes include a comprehensive bibliography, a list of compa­nies, research institutions, universities that are involved in matters relevant or per­taining to tidal power plants and related matters. It may be safely estimated that compared to the list compiled three years ago, there is an increase of approximately 30%. The bibliography has a […]

No major new technologies are needed for the current construction of tidal power plants, however, it may pay off to foster development and research the interface of a central’s output with national grids, calculate a sound estimate of its economic interest, design and site proper implanting, and of course environmental effect and sustainability (Frau 1993). […]

9.1 Tidal Power and the Environment But for the in depth environmental assessment conducted by T. Shaw and his collaborators, little or no environmental study has been carried out prior to the con­struction of Rance or Kislaya plants.[230] Ex post facto examinations were conducted on both schemes. At the Rance site the only milieu considerations […]

The world’s most northerly town, Hammerfest, in Norway, will be the first city to obtain its electrical power from a submarine station run by tidal currents. The 200 metric ton turbine is anchored on the seabed near Kvalsund. Its current capacity is 3 MW but it is to expand to 20 MW 36. The production […]

The French electricity provider company, Electricite de France, through an inter­mediate subsidiary, has proposed to the island of Vlieland, in the Dutch province of Friesland, to be the location for one of its demonstrations of renewable energy projects. Among the technologies is a 2 x 2 tidal current turbine, consisting of two pillars each with […]

Canada is implementing a 250 kW demonstration plant[223] but Great Britain is in­stalling and grid-connecting a 300 kW horizontal axis turbine. [224] The latter is a Joule Program project code named “Seaflow”. The “Optcurrent” project is likewise a Joule Program undertaking involving Robert Gordon University and University College of Cork, besides IT Power. The Seaflow […]

The various turbine rotor options are, as has been said for some time, quite similar to those for wind turbines, the horizontal axial-flow turbine and the Darrieus or cross-flow turbine. In the latter type, blades rotate perpendicularly to the flow. Options to secure a rotor include mounting the unit beneath a floating pontoon or buoy, […]

Tidal river energy can be tapped both in the sea environment and in tidal rivers and streams. Its potential is large and a mere 10% of the energy in Great Britain was estimated sufficient to provide more than 5% of that country’s electrical needs a quarter of a century ago.[206] The 8-knot current of the […]