Simulation of A New Configuration for Tidal Power Plants: Analysis of Power Generation Increase

Abstract

A new concept in tidal energy use has been developed and modeled. The system is based on nonconventional distribution of tidal turbines in series rather than in parallel, using the stepped profile of the continental shelf. A hybrid configuration of series and parallel distribution of tidal turbines has been studied and analyzed. A third option with quincunx distribution of the tidal turbines has also been studied. The results have been compared between them and to those obtained from conventional distribution of tidal turbinesin parallel. The modeling has been developed through simulation processes using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques. Two scenarios have been used for the simulation process, the Bay of Fundy in Canada and the Gulf of Mexico where the tidal energy converters efficiency is discussed on the continental platform and the stepped profile beyond. The results of the simulation shows that for the Bay of Fundy, only the quincunx distribution is feasible for tidal resource exploitation; other configurations show poor results. Tidal turbines placed on the stepped profile show an insufficient use of the tidal energy while the turbines located on the continental platforms show a rather good performance