Augmented tidal resonant system: design for uninterrupted power generation

Date of Award

2016

Degree Name

M.S. in Renewable and Clean Energy

Department

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Graduate Renewable and Clean Energy Program

Advisor/Chair

Advisor: Andrew K. Henrick

Abstract

This current work shows that a tidal resonator enhanced with a spillway can maintain the large scale oscillatory mean power of previous models while simultaneously providing a substantial mean minimum power. A linearization was developed and used for both code verification and design space exploration. The current results build on the proposed theoretical model formulated by John Schauer, Emily M. Krehnovi, and Andrew K. Henrick [1], theorizing that a man-made resonator could achieve an average power capacity on the order of hundreds of gigawatts. The state-of-the-art model explored here addresses some of the inadequate assumptions present in their model, being based on a more general mechanical energy formulation developed by Henrick [2]. The problem with inconstant power production of the dynamic system is tackled by the use of a spillway, modeled using sharp-crested weir equations, installed across half the perimeter of the resonator's reservoir. Taking advantage of the large amplitude oscillation of this reservoir to provide an overflow through a spillway is shown to facilitate power availability throughout the cycle. Power production for the overflow is calculated considering all overflow water volume could be drained at a constant rate, recovering the available elevation head.

Keywords

Ocean energy resources, Tidal power, Spillways, Tidal currents, Renewable energy sources, Energy, Engineering, resonance, tidal, Bay of Fundy, renewable, power

Rights Statement

Copyright © 2016, author

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS