Renewable Energy & Power Plants BME654B

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 Power
Tide is a periodic rise and fall of the water level of the sea. Tides occur due to the attraction of
sea water by the moon and the sun. These tides can be used to produce electrical power, and it is
termed as Tidal Power. When the water is above the mean sea level it is terned flood tide or high
tide, and when the level is below the mean sea level it is termed ebb tide or low tide,
Principle of Generationof Tides

ne hde yaee.

Ronge.
men Keal lecee

4Lotde

hde Neap
tide

Dr. C.M Shivakumar, Dept of ME, CIT Mandya Page 1

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Renewable Energy & Power Plants

attraction of the Moon sun on the water of the

The tides are produced mainly by gravitational
produced by Son).
solid and ocean (about 70% of the tide produced by moon and 30% of the tide
same
The surface water pulled away from the Earth on the side facing of the moon and at the
time the solid earth is pulled away from the water on the opposite side. Thus high tide occurs in
the two areas and low tide at intermediate points

In the figure A shows the rise and fall of the water level the point A and Cindicates low tide the
difference between high and low water level is called range of tide.

From the figure B the variation of high and low tide during a month the tidal range is then
exceptionally large the high tide are higher and low tide or lower than average these tide is called
spring tide at the time near full or New Moon when sun and moon approximately in a line
On the other and near the first and third quarter of the moon neap tide occurs when the sun moon
are at right angles with respect to earth, means tidal range is then exceptionally small the high
tide are lower and low tide or higher than average.
Fundamental characteristicsof tidal power
1. Renewable and Sustainable
Tidal power is generated by the grayitational interactions between the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
Since these celestial bodies will continue to intluence tides for billions of years, tidal energy is
considered inexhaustible ou ahuman timescale.
2. Predictable and Reliable
Unlikewind or solar energy, tidal patterns are highly predictable. Scientists can forecast tides
years in advance, which provide consistency and reliability for power generation.
3. High Energy Density
Tidal energy has a higher energy density than wind or solar power. Water is about 800 times
denser than air, so the kinetic energy of moving water can generate significant power even at low
speeds.
4. Environmental Impact
While clean in terms of emissions, tidal power can disrupt marine ecosystems. Turbines may
affect fish migration,sediment transport, and the health of estuarine and coastal habitats.

Dr. C.M Shivakumar, Dept ofME,CIT Mandya Page 2

 Renewable Energy & Power Plants BME654B

5. Geographically Limited
Tidal power plants can only be installed in coastal areas with sufficient tidal range or strong
tidal currents, which limits their application to specific global regions.
6. High Initial Costs
The infrastructure for tidal power-such as barrages. tidal lagoons. and underwater turbines
requires high capital investment. Maintenance in marine environments can also be expensive.
7. Types of Systems
Tidal power can be harnessed through various systems:

Tidal barrages (dams)

Tidal stream generators (underwater turbines)
Tidal lagoons (artificial enclosures)

8. Low Operating Costs

Once built, tidal power systems typically have low operating and maintenance costs due to the
durability of underwater systems and the predictability of tides.
9. Long Lifespan
Tidal power plantscan operate for several decades (often over 100 years), making them a long
term investment in energy infrastructure.

10. Grid Integration Challenges

Tidal energyproduces power at specifictimes based on tidal cycles (approximately every 12.4
hours),vhich may not match peak demand times. This intermittency requires smart grid
integration or energy storage.

Dr. C.M Shivakumar, Dept of ME, CIT Mandya Page 3

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Renewable Energy & Power Plants

llarnessing tidal energy

The harnessing of tidal energy can be done by two methods
1. single basin method
2. double basin method
1.Single basin method
Dam

Power house
Suices.
Basi

Soa

Fig. 7-4. Single basin plant

Above figure shows schematic representation of single basin arrangement. n single base in
arrangement only one basin interacting with sea. The sea and basins separated by the barrage the
dam are barrage contains a number of sluice gate and low head turbines set.
W
hen the flood tide occurs sluice gate open to permit sea water to enter the basin and reaches the
maximum level while turban is shut.

At the beginning of low tide sluice gate closed the generation of power takes place. At the end
of low tide sluice gate opens to discharge the water tosea. The cycle repeats.
2. Double basin method

Sluice gate Upper basin

Power house

Sluice gate Lower basin

Dr. C.M Shivakumar, Dept of ME, CIT Mandya

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Renewable Energy & Power Plants BME654B
The above figure shows representation of double basin arrangement it requires two
separate
adjustable basin in this system turbine is located in between two adjustable basin at the
beginning of turbine are shutdown.
The sluice gate of upper basin open and lower basin is closed the upper basin filled up and
lower basin remains empty as soon as water level in upper basin produced sufficient difference
of head between two basin then the turbine is started to produce power
generation. Thus
continuous simultaneously filling up the upper basin at high tide and opens the lower basin at
low tide to discharge the water to sea, the cycle is repeats.

Advantages of tidal energy are:

About two-third of earth's surface is covered by water, there is scope to generate tidal
energy on large scale.
Environment-friendly
A highly predictable energy source
High energy density
Operational and nmaintenance costs are low
An inexhaustible source of energy
It's a Renewable Source of Energy.
It Generates Energy at Low Speeds
The lifeof tidal energy power plant is verylong.
Efficiency of tidal power generatioh is far greater when compared to coal, solar, or wind
energy.
Its efficiency is around 80%.
Disadvantages of tidal energy are:
High tidal power plant construction costs
Negative influence on marine life forms
Location limits, can be constructed only if natural sites are available.
The variable intensity of sea waves and also output of power varies with lunar cycle.
The supply of power is not continuous as it depends upon timing of tides.
Maintenance and Corrosion are an Issue.

Economy recovery of energy from tides is not much feasible, it is manly site Specific.
Tidal plant disrupts marine life at the location and can cause potential harm to ecology.
The turbines are required to operate at variable heads.

Dr. C.M Shivakumar,Dept of ME, CIT Mandya Page 5

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Renewable Energy & Power Plants

Changing tidal range in two weeks period produces changing power.

Location of sites may be distant from the demand centres.
Only a very few ideal locations for construction of plant are available and they too are localized
to coastal regions.
Wave energy
Wave energy comes from the interaction between the winds and the surfaces of oceans. The
energy available varies with the size and frequency of waves. It is estimated that about 10 kW of
power is available for every metre width of the wave front.
Waves form as wind blows over the surface of open water in oceans and lakes. Ocean waves
contain tremendous energy. Wave power is produced by the up and down motion of floating
devices placed on the surface of the ocean. As the wayes travel across the ocean, high-tech
devices capture the natural movements of ocean currents and the flow of swells to generate
power. Wave energy or wave power is essentially the power drawn from waves.
When wind blows across the sea surface, it transfers the energy, to the waves. They are
powerful
source of energy and the energy output is measured bywave speed, wave height, and wavelength
and water density. The mnore strong the w¡ves, the more capable it is to produce power. The
captured energy can then be used for electricity generation,
Powering plants or pumping of water.
Oscillating Water Columns (0WO)

Wave Crest

Rising
water Column Falling
waterColumn

These devices generate electricity from the wave-driven rise and

fall of water in a cylindrical
shaft. The rising and falling water column drives air into and out
of the top of the shaft, powering
an air-driven turbine. The Oscillating Water
Column generates electricity in a two step process.

Dr. C.M Shivakumar, Dept of ME, CIT

Mandya Page 6
Renewable Energy & Power Plants BME654B

As a wave enters the column, it forces the air in the column up the closed column past a turbine,
and increases the pressure within the column. As the wave retreats, the air is drawn back past the
turbine due to the reduced air pressure on the ocean side of turbine.
Much research is occurring internationally to develop oscillating water columns which require
less stringent sitting conditions, including the OSPREY and floating columns, such as the
Japanese Mighty Whale.
Following are the advantages and disadvantages of wave energy:
Advantages:
1. It is relatively pollution free.
2. It is a free and renewable energy source.
3.After removal of power, the waves are in placed state.
4. Wave-power devices do not require large land masses.
5. Whenever there is a large wave activity, a string of devices have to be used. The system not
waves,
only produces electricity but also protects coast lines from the destructive action of large
minimises erosion and help create artificial harbour.
Disadvantages:
1. Lack of dependability.
2. Relative scarcity of accessible sites of large wave activity.
3. The construction of conversion devices is relatively complicated.
4. The devices have to withstand enorraQus power of stormy seas.
and costs of repair,
5. There are unfavourable economic factors such as large capital investment
replacenent and maintenance.

Dr. C.M Shivakumar, Dept of ME, CIT Mandya Page 7

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Renewable Energy & Power Plants

Principle of working ocean thermal energy

The 0TEC ccurred
The energY geneTated with the help of ocean called Ocean thermal energy.
trom the solarradiation in the form of temperature range. It is an indirect form of solar energy at
ocean. Surtace of water acts as the collector for solar heat for upper layer of the sea, constitute
ntnite heat storage reservoir and surface of water acts as a collector. The heat contains the
ocean which is a solar in origin could be converted into electricity by utilising fact that the
temperature difference between the topsurface of sea water and bottonof tiesea water.
The surface of warm water could be used to eat some low boiling organic fluid the vapour of
which could run the heat engine.
Solar energy absorption by the water takes place according to Lambert's law of observation.
The Ocean thermal energy concept was proposed as early as 1881 by French Phýsicist Jacques.D
The ocean thermal energy conversion based on Carnot cycle
The open cycle OTEC system

ttbine

Saptr
nevetah Jenat

2e'z

oteem Jnfu

efratd
exeter ( )
The open cycle OTEC system is shown in above figure. In the system the portion of water is
converted into steam in an evaporator then the steam drives the steam turbine in turn run the
generator to produce electricity.

Dr. C.M Shivakumar, Dept of ME, CIT Mandya

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 Renewable Energy & Power Plants
BME654B
In this system he warm
water from the ocean surface around 26'c
the evaporator tube. Where in sea admitted to the separator and
water 27'c is flash evaporated under partial
Converted into steam. The low pressure steam is then passed vacuum and
through the turbine in turn rotate the
generator to obtain electrical energy. Then the exhaust steam is cooled in a
condenser and
condensed water is discharged back to this sea. The low pressure in
evaporator is maintained by
vacuum pump and also removes the dissolved and non-condensable gases from the
evaporator.
In this fashion Ocean thermal energy is converted into
electrical energy in open cycle OTEC
system.
The closed cycle OTEC system

uased

pomp
war
Evop raer
Senfeue
wates

Sfase Setndr pmp

The above figure shows the schematic representation of closedcycle OTEC Power plant. This
cycle requires separate working fluid that receives and rejects heat to the source and sinks via
heat exchangers (evaporator and condenser) the working fluid may be ammonia propane and
Freon.

In this cycle the warm sea water flow through the heat exchanger the working fluid absorbs heat
from the warm ocean water and vaporise. The vapour having thermal energy expanded in vapour

Dr. C.M Shivakumar,Dept of ME, CIT Mandya Page 9

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Renewable Energy & Power Plants
turbine, the thernmal energy converted into pmechanical energv. The turbine drives the electncal
rotor to produce electricity.
Ihe condensation of propane vapour is transfer heat to the cold sea water. the working fluud is
circulated again and again and cycle is repeated.
Problems associated with 0TEC.
1. Low Thermal Efficiency
Due to the small temperature differential (-20°C), OTEC systems have low
thermodynamic efficiency (typically 3-5%), which makes large-scale electricity
production difficult.
2. Large Infrastructure Requirements
OTECsystems require massive structures, especially cold water intake pipes that can
be more than 1,000meters long and several meters wide. Building and maintaining
these underwater systems is technically compiex and expensive.
3. Material Durability
Corrosion, befouling, and wear, due to constant exposure to seawater are persistent
problems. The materials used must resist saltwater degradation over long periods.
4. Energy Transport Limitations
OTEC is most viable in tropical oceans, which are often far from population centers.
Transmitting electricity over long distances is inefficient and costly unless converted
to hydrogen of ammonia, which introduces further complexity.
Environmental Concerns
1. Disruption of Marine Ecosystems
The movement of large volumes of deep and surface water can disturb marine life.
especially due to sudden temperature changes and nutrient redistribution.
2. Waste Heat and Chemical Discharges
Although OTEC is considered clean, it still releases heat and potentially antifouling
or anticorrOsion chemicals into the ocean,which could impact local ecosystems.
3. Algal Blooms
Upwelling of nutrient-rich deep water can unintentionally stimulate algal blooms,
which may lead to oxygen depletion and marine life death.

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Renewable Energy & Power Plants BME654B

Economic and Financial Barriers

1. High Initial Costs
Capital expenditure for OTEC plants is extremely high due to the need for
specialized materials, ocean-based construction, and extensive maintenance.
2. Unproven Commercial Viability
Despite decades of research, there are very few operational commercial-scale
OTECplants, raising doubts about long-term economic feasibility.
3. Competition from Other Renewable
Technologies like solar and wind have seen massive cost reductions, making them
more attractive investments than OTEC.

Operational and Logistical Issues

1. Intermittent Power Generation
While OTEC is more consistent than solar or wind, maintenance shutdowns or
environmental changes (like El Niño) can disrupt energy output.
2. Maintenance and Accessibility
Operating in the open ocean presents challenges in monitoring, maintenance, and
emergency repairs, especially in adverse weather conditions.

Dr. C.M Shivakumar, Deptof ME,CIT Mandya Page 11