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Current Status and Future Outlook Report on Global Tidal Energy

Reviewed

Apr 10 2015

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Tidal Energy: Current Status and Future Outlook" report to their offering.

This study provides a technology overview of the different tidal energy technologies currently available in the market and also technologies which are being developed currently. The study discusses about various technical features in a tidal energy system and also the tidal energy scenario (funding, R&D initiatives, tidal energy projects) in different regions across the globe. Restraints and drivers of the industry has also been identified and discussed. Technology management strategies implemented by different companies have also been discussed and the technology roadmap charted.

The global tidal energy potential is estimated to be about terawatt (W) in which about TW can be harvested from shallow waters. In certain regions the potential is high. For example in Europe, France and UK have tidal ranges of over m. In Canada, the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia has been identified as having high potential.

Tidal Barrage utilize the difference in height between low and high tides. A dam with a sluice is constructed; sea water flows in during high tide, and when the tide is low, water is released under pressure through turbines into the sea.

Tidal Stream generators has the same operating principle as wind turbines. They utilize tidal streams which flow when tides are moving in and out which causes turbine rotation and subsequently electricity generation by turning the generators. The electrical generators are installed directly into the tidal stream. Existing plants: SeaGen (MW), Northern Ireland, operational since April 2008.

The rotation of the turbine creates electricity. Drawbacks of the tidal barrage are high civil infrastructure costs and environmental change. Some of the larger plants operating using the tidal barrage concept are La Rance Tidal Barrage (MW), France; Sihwa Tidal Power Plant (254 MW), South Korea; Annapolis Royal Generating Station (MW), Canada; and Jiangxia Tidal Power Station, China (MW).

Tidal Lagoons work on a concept similar to tidal barrage - except for a perimeter embankment for water impoundment. Lagoons can thus be sited completely offshore or connected to the land. The same kind of turbines as used in a barrage scheme is used for electricity generation.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Technology Snapshot and Trends

- History of Tidal Energy

- Tidal Plant Types

- New Trends: Dynamic Tidal Power

- Tidal Turbine Types

- Technical Features of Tidal Converters

- Tidal Power Supply Chain

- Tidal Power Stakeholders

3. Tidal Energy Initiatives

- Tidal Energy: UK