Module 1

Tidal Energy Infrastructure

 TIDAL ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

Tides - Tides are the rise and fall of sea

levels caused by the combined effects
of the gravitational forces exerted by
the Sun, Moon and are also caused by
the Earth and Moon orbiting one
another. A tide is a change in water
level. Tides are vary from place to place
and vary from time to time.
 TIDAL ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

• Fundamentals of tides –
• Tides affect other aspects of oceanic life, including the reproductive
activities of fish and ocean plants.
• High tides help in navigation. They raise the water level close to the
shores which helps the ships to arrive at the harbour more easily.
• Tides stir the ocean water that makes habitable climatic conditions
and balance the temperatures on the planets.
• The fast movement of water during the inflow and outflow will
provide a source of renewable energy to communities living along the
coast.
• Formation of tides –
• The gravitational attraction of the sun and the gravitational attraction of the moon
always affect two sides of the earth at the same time. On one side, the waters of the
ocean are drawn away from the earth; on the other, the earth is drawn away from the
water. The gravitational attraction of the moon and the sun are added together. Thus, the
combined gravitational attraction of the sun and the moon produces the highest tide
called the spring tide. This can occur both at full moon and at new moon. However, this
does not happen when the sun and the moon are exactly in the same direction(new
moon), or in the opposite direction(full moon). It occurs generally later(mostly one or
two days). The time lag is called the age of the tide.
• The tide are least when the gravitational attraction of the sun is counter acting that of
the moon, or when the sun and the moon are at right angles in relation to the earth.
Thus, the weakest tide, called neap tide occurs one week later i.e., 7 days after the
occurrence of spring tide(first and third quarter of the moon).
• Term to describe the phases of moon: full moon means that the moon is on the
opposite side of the earth from the sun and the entire side of the moon facing
the earth is illuminated in the night sky.
• New moon occurs when the moon lies directly between the earth and the sun.
Because the moon is on the daylight side of the earth, there is no moon in the
night sky during a new moon.
• If the monthly trip of the moon “around” the earth is divided into quarters
beginning with the new moon, the first and last quarter moon occur when the
earth, sun and moon align to form a 90° angle. From the earth, half of the
moon is illuminated, at the first and last quarter. It is called a quarter moon
because it is seen at the first quarter and last quarter of the lunar orbit.
• Waxing of the moon describes the period between new moon and full moon.
Each night more of the moon is illuminated. Waning of the moon refers to the
period between the full moon and new moon. Each night less of the moon is
illuminated.
• Tidal Energy -
• Tidal energy is a form of hydropower that converts energy obtained from tides
into useful forms of power such as electricity. Tidal energy is a non -
conventional source of energy which is obtained from the rise and fall of
tides.
• Because water is denser than air, tidal energy is more powerful than wind
energy, producing exponentially more power at the same turbine diameter and
rotor speed. Tidal power is also more predictable and consistent than wind or
solar energy, both of which are intermittent and less predictable. This makes
tidal energy an intriguing renewable energy source to pursue.
 TIDAL ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
❖Benefits of tidal energy –
• Tides are easily predictable
• Inexpensive to maintain
• Reliable and renewable source of energy
• High energy density than other renewable energy forms
• It produces no greenhouse gases or other waste
• Vertical-axis turbines and offshore turbines are inexpensive to build and have
less environmental impact
• Tidal turbines are 80% efficient, which is higher than solar or wind energy
generators.
• Barrages reduce the damage of high tidal surges on the land.
• A tidal generator’s turbine blades also turn slowly, which helps marine life
avoid getting caught in the system.
Disadvantages of tidal energy –
• Initial construction cost is very high
• Formation of silt behind the barrage
• Effect on animals and plants living near tidal stations
• Very few suitable sites for constructing barrages
• Disturbs migration of living creatures in the ocean
• Water cannot be replenished, and hence dirt gets settled within the
coast
• It produces power for only about 10 h of the day when the tide is
moving in and out
• Placing turbines in tidal streams is complex, because the machines are
large and disrupt the tide they are trying to harness. The environmental
impact could be severe, depending on the size of the turbine and the
site of the tidal stream..
 Wave Theory
1. Equillibrium Theory –
• The first theory which attempted to explain the tides in the ocean was the equilibrium theory developed by
Newton (1687). In order to get an idea regarding the effect of the tide producing forces on the ocean’s water
mass, Newton assumed an ideal ocean of equal depth and covering the entire earth.
• Newton showed that the attractive forces of the moon on the side of the earth nearest to the moon would be
greater than the average forces on the opposite side of the earth and therefore the water would pulled be less than
the average forces and therefore the water would move away from the moon. In an ocean completely covering
the earth and of equal depth; the horizontal component of the tide generating forces pulls the water towards the
points nearest and farthest away from the moon, thus causing elevation of the water at these points, with a
corresponding depression in the water level halfway between these two points on the earth’s great circle. The sun
also would tend to give similar effects related to itself. According to Newton, this process can continue only till
the resultant horizontal pressure differences in the ocean tend to return the water to its former position, so that the
free surface of the water would be in equilibrium.
• Equilibrium theory can explain certain characteristics of ocean tides, especially the occurrence of semidiurnal
tides. If we assume that the moon is stationary and is directly above the equator, then the maximum Since the
earth required a day for one complete revolution, an observer on the equator would notice two high tides in a day.
The time that would elapse between two high tides , i.e., the tidal period would be half –a-day. An observer at any
latitude north or south of the equator would also notice a similar period for the tides. Thus this theory can explain
the occurrence of semi-diurnal tides. This theory can also explain the formation of spring and neap tides. When
the sun and the moon are in line with respect to the earth(full moon and new moon) their tide generating forces
are added, producing highest high tides known as spring tides. When the sun and the moon are perpendicular to
one another with respect to the earth, their effects tend to cancel one another, producing the lowest low tides
known as neap tides.
But the equilibrium theory fails to explain the time of occurrence of high water at a place. In accordance
with this theory, the high water of the lunar tide can occur when the moon passes through the meridian
of that location. However, actual observations have shown that the high water occurs at a place with
some delay after the moon’s passing through the meridian. The tidal ranges also are not according to
the equilibrium tidal theory.
Observations made at several places along the coasts of the world oceans have shown wide variations
with regard to tidal ranges. At some places the tidal range may be negligible, while at some other places
it may reach more than 10 m.
The main criticism about this theory is the assumption of having a constant equilibrium between the tide
generating forces and the pressure. According to the equilibrium theory, the tidal elevations form on
the earth at the points nearest and farthest away from the moon. To remain in this position with respect
to the moon as the earth rotates below the moon, the elevations which would be separated by a
distance of about 20,000 km(half the earth’s circumference), would have to move across the earth, at a
speed of more than 1600km/h. For the tidal wave to travel at the enormous speed of 1600km/h, the ideal
ocean’s depth would have to in be enormous speed of 1600km/h, the ideal ocean’s depth would have to
be 22km.Since the tides are considered as shallow water waves, their velocity is proportional to the
square root of the water depths. Taking the average depth of the ocean as 3.9km, the speed of the tidal
elevations can be about 700km/h only. Therefore, the equilibrium position at any instant required by
this theory cannot be established. The most important aspect with regard to ocean tides is not a static
one as assumed in the equilibrium theory, but a hydrodynamic one.
Dynamic Theory of Tides
Nearly a century after Newton put forward his equilibrium theory. Laplace(1775) formulated the
dynamic theory of tides. According to this theory, the tide producing forces produce tide waves in the ocean
whose period corresponds to that of the generating forces. The dynamical theory attempted to
understand tides by considering the effect of the depth and width of the ocean basins, earth’s rotation and
friction on the behaviour of fluids which are subjected to rhythmic forces.
To understand the dynamic theory, let us consider the simplest case, where the sun and moon are both at
zero declination and in synergy, such that solar and lunar tides coincide. Now we have to consider only one
equilibrium tide. As indicated in the equilibrium theory, an ocean depth of 22km would be necessary for the
equilibrium tide at the equator to keep up with the moon’s passage around the earth. Since the oceans are
less than 22km deep everywhere, the actual tide will “lag” behind the equilibrium tide. At lower latitudes on
either side of the equator, the “lag” is about 6 h 12 min and 18 h 36 min after the moon’s passage overhead.
This type of tides are known as “indirect tides”. At latitudes more than 26°, the “tidal lag” is less than 6 h 12
min. This lag decreases with increase in latitude and at 65° latitude there is “no lag” at all. Hence, from 65°
latitude onwards up to poles, the actual tide will keep up with the theoretical lunar equilibrium tide.
Therefore, theoretically high tides would occur(after 12 h and 25 min) at the moon’s passage. Such type
of tides are known as “direct tides”. Thus, according to this theory all tides in the equatorial regions (less
than about 26°) would be “indirect tides”, and all tides in the polar regions( more than about 65°) of an
ocean would be “direct tides”.
.
• The Coriosis force (deflection due to earth’s rotation) is zero at the equator and increases with latitude
towards the poles. It varies with the speed of the tidal current. Thus, the earth’s rotation has a major role in
the formation of tidal currents and on the general nature of ocean tides. Friction also influence the tides, since
the force of friction reduces the speed of the tidal currents.
• In the simplest case so far, we have considered the moon to be directly above the equator. But actually the
moon has a declination which changes up to a maximum of 28.5° north and south. Due to this reason the tidal
forces will not be symmetrical with reference to the equator. Therefore, the problem of wave motion in
latitudinal channels would become more complicated. In spite of the complexities of the dynamic theory, it
has one important advantage, in that it enables to predict the course of the tides for any given location along a
coast
 Tidal Power Plant
Types and working principle –
• Gravitational force between the moon, the sun and the earth causes the rhythmic rising
and lowering of ocean water, around the world that results in tide waves.
• The moon exerts more force (twice) on the tides as the sun exerts, due to its much closer
position to earth. Due to these forces tides are formed. Here the energy of tides is
converted into useful form of power. Tidal power has more potential for future electrical
generation and is more predictable than wind and solar energy.
• The periodic rise and fall of the water level of sea which is carried out by the action of
the sun and moon is called the ‘tide’.
• 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 hydropower.
• The main feature of the tidal cycle is the difference in water surface elevations at the high tide
and at the low tide. If this differential head could be utilized in operating a hydraulic turbine,
then this tidal energy could be converted into electrical energy by means of an attached
generator.
• Components of Tidal Power Plants:
The following are the components of a tidal power plant.
1. The dam or dyke (low wall) to form the pool or basin.
2. Sluice ways from the basins to the sea and vice versa.
3. The power house.

• Dam or dyke The function of dam or dyke is to form a barrier between the sea and the basin or
between one basin and the other in case of multiple basins.
• Sluice ways are used to fill the basin during the high tide or empty the basin during the low tide,
as per operational requirement. These devices are controlled through gates.
• Power house: A power house has turbine, electric generators and other auxiliary equipment.
1. Single basin arrangement
In a single basin arrangement, power can
be generated only by intermittently. In
this arrangement only one basin interacts
with the sea. Sea and basin are separated
by a dam and the flow between them is
through sluice ways located conveniently
along the dam. The rise and fall of tidal
water levels provide the potential head
Fig. shows a general arrangement of a
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.
• The operation of the plant is as follows:
• When the incoming tide sea level and tidal-basin level are equal, the turbine
way is closed. When the sea level rises, the turbine valves are opened and
the sea water flows into the basin through the turbine runner generating
power. This also raises the level of water in the basin. The turbine continues
to generate power until the tide passes through the turbine. Bypass valve
then quickly opens to let water into the basin to gain maximum level. When
sea and basin water level are equal, the valves are closed as well as the
turbine conduit. The basin level then stays constant while the tide continues
to go out.
• After sufficient head has developed, the turbine valves are again opened and
water now flows from basin to the sea, thereby generating power. The plant
continues to generate power till the tide reaches its lowest level.
2. Double basin arrangement
• A single basin plant cannot generate power
continuously, though it might do so by using
a pumped storage plant if the load it supplies
fluctuates considerably
• A double basin scheme can provide power
continuously or on demand, which is a great
advantage. The drawbacks is that the civil
works become more extensive. In the
simplest double-basin scheme there must be
a dam between each basin and the sea and
also a dam between the basins, containing
the power house. One basin is always
maintained at a lower level than the other.
The lower reservoir empties at low tide, the
upper reservoir is replenished at high tide. If
the generating capacity is to be large, the
reservoirs must be large which means that
long dams would be required.
Advantages of Tidal Power Generation:
• Tidal power is completely independent of the precipitation
(rain).
• Large area of valuable land is not required.
• When a tidal power plant works in combination with
thermal or hydroelectric system peak power demand can be
effectively met with.
• Tidal power generation is free from pollution.
Disadvantage of Tidal Power Generation:
• Due to variation in tidal range the output is not uniform.
• Since the turbines has to work on a wide range of head variation (due to variable tidal range) the plant
efficiency is affected.
• Machineries are corroded due to corrosive sea water.
• It is difficult to carry out construction in sea.
• As compared to other sources of energy, the tidal power plant is costly.
• Sedimentation and siltation of basins.
• The power transmission cost is high because the tidal power plants are located away from load centres.
• The construction of tidal barrage calls for advanced technology due to very complex problems associated
with it. The regions which are most suitable for tidal energy generation tend to be the ones which are
difficult for barrage construction. So every location is not ideal for installing such a system.
• Seawater is very corrosive in nature.
• Marine life is affected.
• Power Output of Tidal System
• We can express the power of a tidal turbine as:
• P = ρQgH watts
Where, P = power of turbine in watts;
Q = quantity of water flow in m3/s;
g = acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 m/s2 ;
H = water head in meters;
ρ = density of sea water = 1025 kg/m3
• The water head H is generally taken as that from the water surface behind the
turbine to the centre of the turbine runner. H varies from a maximum at the
beginning of generation to zero at the end of the generation. Though the variation
of H during generation is nonlinear, we assume the change to be linear.
• As H varies from maximum to zero, the power output also varies from maximum
(equal to rated output) to zero. It is seen that ρQgH is the total potential energy of
water. The generator output is equal to P multiplied by efficiencies of the turbine
and the generator.
Characteristics of turbine

• Efficiency: The efficiency of a water turbine is the ratio of the power output
to the power input. Water turbines typically have an efficiency of 85-90%.
• Capacity: The capacity of a water turbine is the amount of water that can
flow through it per second. Water turbines are typically rated in gallons per
minute (gpm).
• Head: The head is the height of the water above the turbine. Water turbines
can operate with heads as low as 10 or 1000 feet.
• Pressure: The pressure of the water flowing through the turbine is an
important consideration when selecting a water turbine. Water turbines are
typically rated in pounds per square inch (psi).
• Temperature: Water turbines are generally designed to operate with
temperatures up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
A)HORIZONTAL
AXIS TURBINE

Horizontal axis turbines

extract energy from moving
water in much the same way
as wind turbines extract
energy from moving air. The
tidal stream causes the rotors
to rotate around the
horizontal axis and generate
power.
B.Vertical axis turbine -
Vertical axis turbines
extract energy from the
tides in a similar manner
to that above, however
the turbine is mounted on
a vertical axis. The tidal
stream causes the rotors
to rotate around the
vertical axis and generate
power.
C) OSCILLATING
HYDROFOIL
A hydrofoil is attached to
an oscillating arm. The
tidal current flowing
either side of a wing
results in lift. This motion
then drives fluid in a
hydraulic system to be
converted into electricity.
D) ENCLOSED TIPS
(VENTURI)
Venturi Effect devices house
the device in a duct which
concentrates the tidal flow
passing through the turbine.
The funnel-like collecting
device sits submerged in the
tidal current. The flow of
water can drive a turbine
directly or the induced
pressure differential in the
system can drive an air-
turbine.
E) ARCHIMEDES SCREW
The Archimedes Screw is a
helical corkscrew-shaped
device (a helical surface
surrounding a central
cylindrical shaft). The device
draws power from the tidal
stream as the water moves
up/through the spiral turning
the turbines.
F) TIDAL KITE
A tidal kite is tethered to
the sea bed and carries a
turbine below the wing.
The kite ‘flies’ in the tidal
stream, swooping in a
figure-of-eight shape to
increase the speed of the
water flowing through the
turbine.
• Mooring -
1. Mooring systems
• A. Mooring lines - Mooring lines connect a floating structure to its
anchor on the seabed. The mooring line will typically comprise of
different composites for different sections, with different material
combinations such as wire, fibre ropes and steel chains . The mooring
system used will be determined from structural and hydrodynamic
considerations that will impact the system during operation such as
platform size, water depth, currents and wave loading.
Catenary - A catenary mooring system is a basic
configuration of slack mooring. The system consists of steel
chains (that may also have steel wire or synthetic rope
sections) and hangs freely between the floating structure and
anchor, forming a catenary shape. The slack in the system
allows for some vertical and horizontal movement of the
anchored structure. While the upper section of the mooring
line may consist of chain and wires or synthetic ropes, the
bottom section of the line lies on the seabed, thus increasing
its footprint. This added weight next to the anchor acts as a
counter weight. This system is relatively easy to install
compared to a taut leg mooring system. This system is most
commonly used in shallower waters because as the water
depth and the vertical distance demand increases, more
chain/wires are also required along the horizontal axis to
maintain the catenary slack in the mooring line. The combined
increase in overall length results in higher costs, so the
catenary system becomes less economical
• Taut-leg - Taut-leg mooring systems consist of mooring lines that are pre-
tensioned until they are taut. The system relies on the tension created from
the buoyancy of the of the foundation or device they are attached to,
creating a fixed distance between the anchor and the floating foundation.
This system uitlises the taut moorings to provide stability to a floating
structure which does not usually have this stability built into its design.
The advantage of the taut mooring is that the system has a small footprint
and is stable, but the mooring line itself is difficult and expensive to
install. A taut-leg mooring system does not allow for any vertical
movement of the anchored structure. Each mooring line is also critical in
maintaining the stability of the structure. The failure of a single line could
result in catastrophic instability of the system. Additionally, tensioned
mooring lines are subject to greater fatigue loading than catenary systems.
• Semi-taut - The semi-taut system is a combination of the taut mooring
system and catenary mooring system. This system allows for some
vertical and horizontal movement of the structure and reduces fatigue
loading, while reducing mooring lengths compared to a catenary system.
However, the allowed movement of the floating structure reduces over
stability, meaning some of this will require to be compensated within the
structures design. The semi-taut and taut systems are more economically
suited for deep-water application than catenary system. This is because
they both have shorter mooring lines and require less seafloor space
than the catenary system. The shorter mooring lines result in material
savings, so they are lighter and cheaper to use at increased water
depths.
•
Anchors –
There are a lot of anchors types used for
offshore application. The choice of anchor
type is mainly driven by mooring system
configuration, soil characteristic,
requirements regarding anchor loading and
water depths.
Anchors types depending on type of soil and
water depth.
The gravity anchor- is a dead weight made
in steel or concrete. The main advantage of
this type of mooring system is its capacity to
handle both vertical loads (compensated by
the anchor weight) and horizontal loads
(compensated by friction between the seabed
and the anchor). Moreover, it is a low cost
technology that can be used with a variety of
seabed type.
Drag Embedment anchors –
(also called fluke anchors) are anchors
made of steel having a triangular
geometry at their based. This lower part
creates, once buried, the holding capacity
of the anchor. These anchors can handle
only horizontal loads. They are, therefore,
used only in catenary mooring
configurations. One advantage is their
high holding capacity-weight ratio. Drag-
anchors require the use of anchor-
handling vessels that progressively load
the line to allow ground penetration [The
soil type is decisive when using that kind
of anchors. They are well adapted to
sandy soils. Anchors can be removed
after utilization.
 Piles anchors are cylindrical anchors that can
handle both horizontal and vertical loads. The
holding capacity is provided by the friction with
the soil and lateral soil resistance. Piles are buried
using hammer or vibrators. Once again, the soil is
an important parameter while choosing these
anchors. Like gravity anchors, the removal is
complicated.

Suction piles are another type of pile-anchor. The

pile has an opening at the base in which the soil
goes. A pump creates a vacuum during installation
to help the pile penetrate the ground by pressure
difference. Both vertical and horizontal loads are
supported by the suction pile. Suction piles can be
easily removed after utilization. They are used for
clay soils.
Plate anchors- are kind of a variant of the
classical drag-embedded anchors except that
they can handle both vertical and horizontal
loads. They are also composed of a
geometrical form (usually triangular or
rectangular) to help the penetration into the
ground. They have a high holding capacity in
vertical direction making them interesting for
taut mooring. Finally, gravity installed
anchors, which can handle both horizontal
and vertical loads. The main advantage of
these anchors is their installation, penetrating
the ground using their own weight. They are
profiled like a torpedo. Therefore, their
utilization is preferred for ultra-deep water.