RENEWABLE ENERGY POWER PLANT

MODULE IV

Ocean energy conversion systems

Ocean energy conversion systems refer to technologies and methods designed to
harness the power of the ocean's natural resources and convert them into usable
energy.
1. Wave Energy Conversion: Waves are formed due to wind blowing across the
surface of the ocean. Wave energy conversion systems capture the kinetic energy
of these waves and convert it into electricity.
2. Tidal Energy Conversion: Tidal energy is generated due to the gravitational pull
of the moon and the sun, causing the rise and fall of tides. Tidal energy
conversion systems utilize the movement of water during tidal changes to
generate electricity.
3. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC): OTEC harnesses the temperature
difference between the warm surface water and cold deep water of the ocean to
generate power.
Advantages of tidal power
 Renewable and predictable
 Environmentally friendly
 Long life span and low operating cost
 Reduced land use
 High energy density
Disadvantages of tidal power
 Limited location suitability
 Environmental impact
 High initial cost
 Can’t be used as a dependent power source
 Maintenance difficulty
 Navigational hazzards to ships and boats
Tidal power plant single basin and double basin system
Tidal power plants are designed to harness the energy generated by the rise and fall of
tides. There are two main types of tidal power plants based on their operating
principles: single basin systems and double basin systems.
Single basin system
In a single basin tidal power plant, a single large basin or estuary is used to generate
power during both ebb (low tide) and flood (high tide) cycles. Gates or sluices are
installed at the entrance of the basin to control the flow of water.
working
During high tide, the gates are closed, trapping the incoming tide inside the basin. As
the tide recedes during low tide, the water is released through turbines or generators
installed in the gates. The outflowing water drives the turbines, generating electricity.
When the tide turns and starts rising again, the gates are closed again, and the process
repeats.

Double basin system

A double basin tidal power plant consists of two interconnected basins: one for
generating power during ebb tide and another for generating power during flood tide.
This system allows for continuous power generation as the tides change.
working
The two basins are connected by turbines or pumps. During high tide, water flows
into both basins. As the tide ebbs, the water flows back to the sea through turbines,
generating electricity. At the same time, the other basin is emptied and stores potential
energy for the next high tide.
Ocean Wave energy
Ocean wave energy is another form of renewable energy that harnesses the kinetic
energy from ocean waves and converts it into usable electricity.
Float System (Buoys): The float system utilizes buoys or floating platforms that
move up and down with the motion of the waves. The buoy's movement generates
mechanical ene2310.rgy, which is then converted into electrical energy through
various mechanisms
working: When waves pass, the buoy rises and falls with the wave motion. This
vertical movement drives a piston or hydraulic system within the buoy. The
mechanical energy generated is used to either directly drive a generator or produce
pressurized fluid that drives a turbine connected to a generator. The generator then
converts the mechanical energy into electricity.

Oscillating Water Column (OWC)

The OWC system uses a partially submerged chamber with an opening to the sea. As
waves enter the chamber, the air inside oscillates due to the wave motion, creating
pressure variations. This oscillating air column is used to drive a turbine and generate
electricity.
working: When a wave enters the chamber, the air pressure increases, forcing air out
through the turbine. As the wave recedes, the air pressure decreases, causing air to be
drawn back into the chamber through the turbine. This back-and-forth flow of air
drives the turbine, which is connected to a generator to produce electricity.
OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM (OTEC)
Due to the solar radiation their is a temperature difference between the ocean surface
and ocean depth. This temperature difference is utilized for the energy conversion.
The warm water on the surface is used to production of steam from the working fluid.
And the cold water at the bottom surface is used for the condensation of working
fluid.
The steam generated is used to drive the turbo generator to the production of electrical
energy.
OTEC is differentiated into two types based on the working fluid used
1. Open cycle OTEC ( Claude cycle )
2. Closed cycle OTEC ( Anderson cycle)
OPEN CYCLE OTEC
 In open cycle OTEC water is used as the working fluid.
 From the schematic diagram warm water used to produce vapour from the
working fluid.
 The steam generated is used to drive the turbo generator.
 The cold water from the bottom used to remove heat from the vapour.
 The working fluid is pressurizer used to increase the fluid pressure.


CLOSED CYCLE OTEC

 In closed cycle OTEC ammonia or other types of fluids are used as working fluid.
 The heat is exchanged in boiler from the warm water on the ocean surface.
 Thus steam is generated from the working fluid.
 The steam generated is used to drive the turbine and generator.
 After the energy conversion the steam is passed through the condenser in which it
is cooled using the cold water from the bottom surface of the ocean.
Fuel cells are energy conversion devices that generate electricity through an
electrochemical reaction between hydrogen (or a hydrogen-rich fuel) and oxygen
(from the air).

High Efficiency: Fuel cells can achieve high energy conversion efficiencies, typically
ranging from 40% to 60%.

Low Emissions: Fuel cells produce electricity without combustion.

Versatility: Fuel cells can be used in various applications, from stationary power
generation for buildings and backup power systems to transportation (e.g., fuel cell
vehicles), and even in portable devices like laptops and smartphones.

Continuous Power: As long as the fuel and oxidant are supplied, fuel cells can
produce a continuous flow of electricity.

Quiet Operation: Fuel cells operate quietly because they don't have any moving parts.

Scalability: Fuel cells can be designed in various sizes to suit different power
requirements.

Reliability: Fuel cells are known for their high reliability due to their simplicity and
lack of moving parts.

Reduced Dependence on Fossil Fuels: While hydrogen is commonly used as a fuel for
fuel cells, there are other options such as methanol, ethanol, and natural gas.

Potential for Off-Grid Applications: Fuel cells can operate independently of the power
grid, making them suitable for remote areas or in emergencies when grid power is
unavailable.

Long Lifespan: Properly maintained fuel cells can have a longer lifespan compared to
some other energy conversion technologies, reducing replacement and maintenance
costs over time.

Working Principle
A fuel cell is a device that uses hydrogen (or hydrogen-rich fuel) and oxygen to create
electricity by an electrochemical process.
A single fuel cell consists of an electrolyte sandwiched between two thin electrodes (a
porous anode and cathode) Hydrogen, or a hydrogen-rich fuel, is fed to the anode
where a catalyst separates hydrogen's negatively charged electrons from positively
charged ions (protons) At the cathode, oxygen combines with electrons and, in some
cases, with species such as protons or water, resulting in water or hydroxide ions,
respectively
The electrons from the anode side of the cell cannot pass through the membrane to the
positively charged cathode; they must travel around it via an electrical circuit to reach
the other side of the cell. This movement of electrons is an electrical current.
Hydrogen - Oxygen fuel cell
These are similar to cells which contain electrodes and electrolyte. Porous nickel or
carbon are used as electrodes in fuel cells.
The electrochemical reaction occurring at the electrodes of a hydrogen oxygen fuel
cell may vary with nature of electrolyte.
At the anode
2H2 4 H+ + 4e-

At cathode
O2 + 4 H+ + 4e- 2 H2 O

When hydrogen gas passed through the electrode it converted into hydrogen ions and
electrons
The electrolyte allows the positive ion movement and prevent electron flow.thus the
hydrogen ions reaches the cathode.
At cathode the hydrogen ions and oxygen gas combines with the electrons in the
external circuit to generate water as by product.
Disadvantages of fuel cell
1. Cost of Fuel cell technology can be expensive to manufacture and implement.
2. Hydrogen Production and Storage: Most fuel cells use hydrogen as a fuel source,
and producing, storing, and distributing hydrogen can be challenging and
energy-intensive.
3. Lack of Infrastructure: The infrastructure for hydrogen distribution and refueling
is limited and underdeveloped in many regions.
4. Fuel Availability: Limited widespread availability of hydrogen fuel.
5. Low Energy Density: This means that a larger volume of hydrogen is required to
produce the same amount of energy, which can impact the size and weight of fuel
cell systems.
6. Sensitivity to Contaminants: Some fuel cell types are sensitive to impurities and
contaminants present in the fuel or oxidant.
7. Limited Catalyst Availability: Some fuel cells require precious metal catalysts
like platinum to facilitate the electrochemical reactions.
8. Safety Concerns: Hydrogen is flammable and requires careful handling, storage,
and transportation.
Difference between battery and fuel cells
Aspect Battery Fuel cell
Energy source Chemical enrgy stored in Chemical energy from external
battery fuel source
Fuel Consumes stored chemicals Requires continous supply of
fuel
Power generation Limited by stored capacity Continous as long as fuels
supplied
Cost Varies with battery type and Expensive than batteries
capacity
Weight and size Generally lighter and small Bulkier and heavier
Start up time instantaneous Require warm up period
Environmental Depends on battery Low emissions
impact chemistry
MAGNETO HYDRODYNAMIC POWER PLANTS

Principle of operation: Magnetic fields can induce currents in moving conductive

fluid. Which in turn polarizes the fluid.
Similar to a mechanical dynamo the motion of metal conductor through a magnetic
field creates a current in the conductor. In MHD the metal conductor replaced by a
conducting fluid.
The movement of conducting fluid in the magnetic field develop charge in it which is
collected using electrodes across them.
The direction of induced current can be determined from Fleming’s right hand rule.
BLOCK DIAGRAM OF MHD POWER PLANT

 MHD system need high temperature gas source. The atmospheric air is treated in
a combuster to raise the temperature level.
 To increase the conductivity of air alkaline metals are seeded into the working
fluid before entering into the MHD system.
 After the generation the high temperature air is used to generate steam from water
to drive the turbine.
 The seeding metals are recovered from the air after the steam generation.
 After the operation the air is removed through the exhaust systems.