Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

BETCK105E

1st semester
Module-4
Tidal Power and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

Prof. Pranesh K G
Assistant Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Acharya Institute of Technology
Bengaluru-107

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 1
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Module-4
Tidal Power: Tides and waves as energy suppliers and their mechanics; fundamental
characteristics of tidal power, harnessing tidal energy, advantages and limitations.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion: Principle of working, OTEC power stations in the world,
problems associated with OTEC.

Tidal energy
 Tidal energy is a form of power produced by the natural rise and fall of tides caused by the
gravitational interaction between Earth, the sun, and the moon.
 Tidal energy or tidal power is a source of renewable energy, obtained from the tides of an
ocean. It is sometimes called another form of hydropower because it uses the energy of
tides, which are made of water to generate power. These tides are produced in the ocean
because of the gravitational pull of our moon and the Sun. These gravitational pulls cause
the water to move across the different oceans, resulting in the development of tides.
 Tide is a periodic rise and fall of the water level of sea which are carried by the action of
the sun and moon on water of the earth
 The large scale up and down movement of sea water represents an unlimited source of
energy
 If some part of this vast energy can be converted into electrical energy it would be an
important source of hydro power
 The main feature of the tidal cycle is the difference in water surface elevation at the high
tide and at the low tide.
 If this difference head could be utilized in operating a hydraulic turbine, the tidal energy
could be converted into electrical energy by means of attached generator.
 In principle, this is not very difficult as water, at the time of high tide, is at a high level and
can be let into a basin to be stored at high level there,
 The same water can be let back into sea during the low tide through the turbines, thus
producing power.
 Since the basin water level is high and sea water is low, the difference in water head
comparable to the tidal range, that can be utilized for the running of the turbine.

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 2
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Tidal Range

 The difference between high tide and low tide is called as Tidal Range
 High and low tides refer to the regular rise and fall of the ocean's waters. High tide is when
water covers much of the shore after rising to its highest level. Low tide is when the water
moving back to its lowest level, moving away from the shore.

Basic Principle of Tidal Power

The Effect of a Full or New Moon ‘ spring tides

 During full or new moons — which occur when the Earth, sun, and moon are nearly
in alignment — average tidal ranges are slightly larger.
 This occurs twice each lunar month (about 29.5 days on average).
 The moon appears new (dark) when it is between the Earth and the sun.
 The moon appears full when the Earth is between the moon and the sun.

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 3
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

 In both cases, the gravitational pull of the sun is ‘added’ to the gravitational pull of
the moon on Earth, causing the oceans to bulge a bit more than usual.
 This means that high tides are higher and low tides are lower than average. These
are called 'spring tides.'

Neap tide

 A neap tide follows seven days after a spring tide. Like the spring tide, it’s connected to
the lunar phases and takes place after the first and third quarters of the moon.
 This is when the moon and sun are at right-angles to each other.
 The effect of this alignment is that there is less difference between high and low water.
 This means that on a neap tide, the water does not rise or fall to its usual heights. A high
tide will be less high and a low tide will be less low, decreasing the difference between
them.

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 4
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Tidal power plant

Basic Components of Tidal power plant

 Dam or Barrage
 Sluice gates
 Tidal Stream Generator

Dam or Barrage

 A tidal barrage is dam like structure used to capture the energy from masses of
water moving in and out of a bay due to tidal force

Sluice gates

 The sluice gates are left open during high tide and closed during low tide to create
a water level differential, creating a potential difference that powers the turbine
when the water is released

Tidal stream generators

 Tidal stream generators are very similar to wind turbines except their below the
water surface instead of above or on land
 The turbine and generator converts the movement of water coming from change in
tide, the kinetic energy, into electricity

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 5
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

 Water is denser than the air and therefor can generate electricity at lower speeds
than wind turbines
 Tidal streams (flowing bodies of water) that are created by the tides can be used to
produce electricity. For this, tidal stream turbines are used to convert the flow of
the stream into the electricity. These turbines are placed underwater and are fixed
to the seabed for their support.
 Tidal stream causes the blades of the turbine to rotate, much like a wind But, water
is denser than air, which makes its flow more powerful. Also, the blades of the tidal
turbine are allowed to rotate much slower than a wind turbine Which helps sea
creatures to avoid being caught in its blades.

Harnessing tidal energy

Classification of Tidal power plants

Tidal power plants are generally classified on the basis of the number of basins used for the power
generation. They are further subdivided as one-way or two-way system as per cycle of operation
for the power generation.

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 6
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Single Basin System

Single ebb cycle system

Fig. Single ebb cycle system

 When the flood tide (High tide) come in, the sluice gates are opened to permit sea water to
enter the basin or reservoir, while the turbine sets are shut.
 The reservoir thus starts filling while its level rises, till the maximum tide level is reached.
 At the beginning of the ebb tide the sluice gates are closed.
 Then the generation of power takes place when the sea is ebbing (flowing back of tide) and
the water from the basin flows over the turbines into the lower level sea water.
 After two or three hours when there is sufficient difference between the full reservoir level
and the falling tide level, to run the turbines, they are started and keep working untill the
rising level of the next flood tide and the falling reservoir level together reduce the effective
head on the turbines to the extent where it can no longer work safely and efficiently.
 The turbines are then closed and the sluice gates open again, to repeat the cycle of operation

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 7
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Single tide cycle system

Fig. Single tide cycle system

 In single tide cycle system, the power generation is affected when the sea is at flood tide.
The sea water is admitted into the basin over the turbines, which causes the power
generation.
 As the flood tide period is over and the sea level begins falling again, the power generation
is stopped. The basin is drained into the sea through the sluice ways.
 In this system also the power output is intermittent.
 This type needs larger size plants, operating for a short period of time and hence less
efficient when compared to ebb tide operation.

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 8
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Double cycle system

Fig. Double cycle system

 The single basin system has only one basin. The tidal basin and the sea are separated by a dam
or barrage. The rise and fall of tidal water levels provide the potential head.
 Fig shows a general arrangement of single basin tidal power plant - double cycle system such
plants generally use reversible water turbines so that power is generated on low tide as well high
tide.
 In double cycle system, the reversible turbines are installed and power is generated during filling
and emptying of basin. Filling process occurs when the ocean is at high tide while the water in
basin at low tide level, the emptying occurs when the ocean is at low tide and basin at high tide
level.
 The flow of water in both directions is used to drive the reversible turbines. Each turbine drives
the generator.
 In this system also continuous generation of power is not possible because of short duration.
 Electric power is generated during two short periods, during each tidal period of 12 hours 25
minutes or once every 6 hours and 12.5 minutes.

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 9
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Double Basin System

Fig. Double Basin System

 This system has two basins at different levels and a dam is provided in between these basins
as shown in Figure. Inlet and outlet sluice gates are provided in the dam.
 The water level in upper basin is maintained above the level of water in the lower basin.
 The upper basin is filled with water during high tide and lower basin is emptied during the
low tide. Therefore, a permanent head is created between the upper and lower basins.
 When sufficient head is developed, the turbines of the power plant are started. The water
flows down from upper basin to the turbine which discharges into the lower basin . Thus
the electrical power is generated.
 When the water level in upper basin is maximum during high tide the inlet sluice is closed
and the level of water in lower basin keeps on rising due to discharge of water by the
turbine.
 When the rising level in lower basin becomes equal to the level of the falling tide, the outlet
sluices are opened.
 When the tide reaches its lower most level, the outlet gates are closed.
 After some time, the tide rises. When its level becomes equal to low level of the upper
basin, the inlet gates are opened.
 Consequently, the level of water in upper basin starts rising. Thus, the cycle is repeated.

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 10
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tidal Power Plants

Advantages:

1. It is free from pollution as it does not use any fuel.

2. Large area of valuable land is not required.
3. It does not produce any unhealthy waste like gases and ash.
4. Tides are easily predictable
5. Power output is highly predictable
6. Inexpensive to maintain
7. Reliable and renewable source of energy
8. High energy density than other renewable energy forms
9. It produces no greenhouse gases or other waste (No Pollution)

Disadvantages:

1. Due to variation in tidal range, the output is not uniform.

2. There is a fear of machinery being corroded due to corrosive sea water.
3. It is difficult to carry out construction in sea.
4. The power transmission cost is high because the tidal power plants are located away from
load centers.
5. Initial construction cost is very high
6. Formation of silt behind the barrage
7. Effect on animals and plants living near tidal stations
8. Very few suitable sites for constructing barrages
9. Disturbs migration of living creatures in the ocean
10. It produces power for only about 10 h of the day when the tide is moving in and out.

Limitations of Tidal power

 It is site specific and the tidal energy can be recovered economically on the locations where
the tidal range is 5m or more.
 The availability of tidal energy is variable thus the power generation is highly fluctuating
in nature.
 Turbines are needed which can operate with fluctuating heads.
Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 11
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

 The marine life and ecology is affected in the region where the tide plants are located . It
also affects the navigation system.
 In order to handle large volume flow rates of tidal water at low heads , tidal plants need to
operate with several turbines in parallel.
 Sea water is corrosive.

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 12
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Wave energy
 Wave energy is a form of renewable energy that can be harnessed from the motion of the
ocean / sea waves.
 Unequal solar heating of the earth generates wind and wind blowing over the surface of
water generates waves.

Harnessing wave energy

 There are several methods of harnessing wave energy that involve placing electricity
generators on the surface of the ocean
 As waves roll through the ocean, they create kinetic energy, or movement.
 This movement can be used to power turbines, which, in turn, create energy that can be
converted into electricity and power.

Different methods of harnessing wave energy

 Oscillation water column

 Oscillating wave surge converter
 Dolphin type wave power machine
 Wave Energy Conversion by Floats
 Tapered Channel

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 13
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Oscillation water column

Fig. oscillating water column

 An oscillating water column is a partially submerged, hollow structure.
 It is open to the sea below the waterline, enclosing a column of air on top of a column of
water.
 Waves cause the water column to rise and fall, which in turn compresses and
decompresses the air column.
 This trapped air is allowed to flow to and from the atmosphere via a turbine, which
usually can rotate regardless of the direction of the airflow.
 The rotation of the turbine is used to generate electricity.

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 14
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Oscillating wave surge converter

Fig. Oscillating wave surge converters

 Oscillating wave surge converters extract energy from wave surges and the movement of
water particles within them.
 The arm oscillates as a pendulum mounted on a pivoted joint in response to the movement
of water in the waves.
 Oscillating wave surge converters typically have one end fixed to a substructure or the
seabed while the other end is free to move.
 Energy is collected from the relative motion of the body, driven by the horizontal motion
of waves (surge), to the fixed point.

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 15
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Dolphin type wave power machine

Fig. Dolphin type wave power machine

 The major components of the system are a dolphin, a float, a connecting rod and two
electrical generators
 The float has two motions. The rolling motion about its own fulcrum with the connecting
rod is amplified and converted into continuous rotary motion with the help of gears. The
electrical generator is driven. The other vertical motion is also amplified and converted
into rotary motion to drive the gears and electrical generator.

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 16
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Wave Energy Conversion by Floats

Fig. Wave Energy Conversion by Floats

Construction

 It consists of a ‘square float’ which moves up and down

 ‘Four vertical manifolds’ that are part of a platform guide the floats. A ‘piston’ attached to
the float compresses air in a ‘cylinder’ which is stationary with the platform. The piston-
cylinder arrangement acts as a reciprocating air compressor.

Working

 The downward motion of the piston draws air into cylinder via inlet check valve.
 The upward motion compressor the air and send it through an outlet check valve to the
four underwater floatation tanks via the four manifolds. These tanks serve the dual
purpose of buoyancy and air storage tanks and the four manifolds serve the purpose of
float guides and discharge air pipes.
 The compressed air in the buoyancy – storage tanks is then used to driver an air turbine
which in term runs an electric generator, and the electricity is transmitted to the shore
via underwater cable.

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 17
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Tapered Channel

Fig. Tapered Channel

Waves can also be channeled into a catch basin or reservoir where the water flows to a turbine at
a lower elevation, similar to the way a hydropower dam operates

Advantages

 Non polluting
 Renewable source of energy
 Large amount of energy can be generated
 Reliable source of energy

Disadvantages

 Variable output
 Affects the marine life

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 18
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

 Ocean thermal energy conversion is an electricity generation system.

 Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), refers to using the temperature difference
between the surface and deep parts of the sea
 The surface of sea is hotter than deep part of sea this difference in temperature is used to
generate the steam to run the turbine to generate the electricity
 The deeper parts of the ocean are cooler because the heat of sunlight cannot penetrate very
deep into the water.
 Here the efficiency of the system depends on the temperature difference.
 Greater the temperature difference, the greater the efficiency
 Ocean thermal energy conversion is an electricity generation system.
 Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), refers to using the temperature difference
between the surface and deep parts of the sea
 The surface of sea is hotter than deep part of sea this difference in temperature is used to
generate the steam to run the turbine to generate the electricity
 The deeper parts of the ocean are cooler because the heat of sunlight cannot penetrate very
deep into the water.
 Here the efficiency of the system depends on the temperature difference.
 Greater the temperature difference, the greater the efficiency

Working principle

 OTEC works on closed Rankine cycle

 OTEC uses the ocean's warm surface water with a temperature of around 25°C to vaporize
a working fluid, which has a low-boiling point, such as ammonia.
 The vapor expands and spins a turbine coupled to a generator to produce electricity.
 The vapour is then cooled by seawater that has been pumped from the deeper ocean layer,
where the temperature is about 5°C.
 That condenses the working fluid back into a liquid, so it can be reused. This is a continuous
electricity generating cycle.

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 19
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

 The efficiency of the cycle is strongly determined by the temperature differential.

 The bigger the temperature difference, the higher the efficiency. The technology is
therefore viable primarily in equatorial areas where the year-round temperature differential
is at least 20°C.

Types of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)

Two types of OTEC technologies to extract thermal energy and convert it to electric power:

 Closed cycle
 Open cycle

Closed cycle (Anderson cycle): Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

Fig. Closed cycle method

 In the closed cycle method, a working fluid with a low boiling point, such as ammonia,
propane or Freon is pumped through a evaporator and vaporized by the warm seawater.
 This vaporized steam runs a turbine.
 Then the fluid now in the vapor state is brought in contact with cold water in the condenser.
 The cold water found at the depths of the ocean condenses the vapor back to a fluid in
condenser, then it returns to the evaporator.

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 20
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Open cycle (Claude cycle): Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

Fig. Open cycle method

 In the open cycle system, the warm surface water is pressurized in a vacuum chamber and
converted to steam to run the turbine. The steam is then condensed using cold ocean water
from lower depths.
 In this cycle, the seawater plays a multiple role of a heat source, working fluid, coolant and
heat sink.
 Warm surface water enters the deaerator where the removal of air and other dissolved gases
Non-condensable gases (NCG), such as sulfur oxide, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia,
hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, from the feed water are takes place.
 Then the warm surface water enters an evaporator where the water is flash evaporated to
steam under particle vacuum.
 Low pressure is maintained in the evaporator by a vacuum pump.
 The low pressure so maintained removes the non-condensable gases from the evaporator.
 The steam and water mixture from evaporator then enters a turbine, driving it thus
generating electricity
 The exhaust from the turbine is mixed with cold water from deep ocean in a direct contact
condenser and is discharged to the ocean.
 The cycle is then repeated.
 Since the condensate is discharged to the ocean, the cycle is called open.
Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 21
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

Advantages of OTEC

 Ocean is an infinite heat reservoir which receives solar incidence throughout the year.
 Energy is freely available.
 Power developed is continuous and it is independent of weather.
 There is a small variation in power output from season to season.
 Low Maintenance

Disadvantage of OTEC

 Efficiency is very low, about 2.5%, as compared to 30-40% efficiency for conventional
power plants.
 Capital cost is very high.
 Harmful on Marine life
 Large size turbines with expensive liquid
 Interfere with navigation

OTEC power stations in the world

 OTEC theory was first developed in the 1880s and the first bench size demonstration model
was constructed in 1926.
 Currently operating pilot-scale OTEC plants are located in Japan, overseen by Saga
University, and Makai in Hawaii
 Japan is a major contributor to the development of OTEC technology. Beginning in 1970
the Tokyo Electric Power Company successfully built and deployed a 100 kW closed-cycle
OTEC plant on the island of Nauru. The plant became operational on 14 October 1981,
producing about 120 kW of electricity; 90 kW was used to power the plant and the
remaining electricity was used to power a school and other places.
 In 1979 American researchers put into operation the first OTEC plant able to generate
usable amounts of electric power—about 15 kilowatts of net power. This unit, called Mini-
OTEC, was a closed-cycle system mounted on a U.S. Navy barge a few kilometres off the
coast of Hawaii. In 1999 the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA)

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 22
Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK105E)

had created and tested a 250-kilowatt plant. The two new heat exchangers and the 100kW
ammonia turbine-generator were delivered to the project site in late 2014. The turbine
generator was placed on top of the 40ft-high OTEC tower within the same year and the
testing works for the two heat exchangers started subsequently.
 World's Largest Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Power Plant to Come Up in
China. The planned construction of an OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) power
plant in the Southern Chinese high seas sets the bar for all potential global OTEC
construction and development.
 Recently, the National Institute of Ocean Technology, an autonomous institute under the
Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is establishing an Ocean Thermal Energy
Conversion Plant with a capacity of 65 kilowatts (kW) in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep. The
plant will power the one lakh litre per day low temperature thermal desalination plant,
which converts seawater into potable water

Problems associated with OTEC

 OTEC power cycle optimization considering all hydraulic losses

 Design, manufacture and performance evaluation of high quality, compact evaporator (heat
exchanger) with phase change under marine condition
 Deployment of cold water pipe in the ocean
 Measurement and development of methods for control of bio fouling in heat exchanger,
( Biofouling, is the accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals on wet
surfaces that have a mechanical function, causing structural or other functional deficiencies.)
 Structural analysis under marine environment of cold water pipe coupled to a floating barge
and the development of compatible material for High density polyethylene (HDPE).
 Design of structures for offshore or shelf mounted plant
 Establishment of base line environmental effects due to OTEC plants
 Power transmission through under water cables

Prof. Pranesh K G., Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 23