Analysis of characteristics of Dynamic Tidal Power on the west coast of Korea

Abstract

Korea has developed various new and renewable energy resources since 2000 due to increasing demand for Green Energy around the world. Because the west coast of Korea has an extreme tidal range, many research projects aimed at harnessing tidal energy have been conducted there successfully. Though the study of Dynamic Tidal Power (DTP) was started as a new tidal energy source about 20 years ago, its characteristics are not yet fully understood. DTP has the potential to have less environmental impact than does a conventional barrage type tidal power generator. Its characteristics were analyzed in many test cases using a numerical model. The theoretical maximum tidal power of DTP became the same as the maximum tidal range by controlling the phase difference. This showed that DTP has great potential for a very successful future in the Yellow Sea. Moreover, DTP could provide an attractive energy source even in areas of lower tidal range than indicated in previous studies.