The Application of Dynamic Tidal Power in Korea

Abstract

Tidal power is attractive as a predictable renewable energy, but it requires a high tidal range. The west coast of Korea is a place where the extreme tidal range is observed, so various studies have been conducted. The largest tidal power, Sihwa Tidal Power Station was successfully built and operated there. However, subsequent projects have been postponed or cancelled due to environmental issues. Dynamic Tidal power (DTP) is an alternative way to a conventional tidal barrage system. Because DTP has to be a huge structure to produce diffraction of tides, it was tested by a numerical model. The 2D numerical model ADCIRC was used in the simulation. DTP was simulated in the largest tidal range of the Korean coast and it was examined in various ways. DTP generates power by the phase difference of tide and it is available even in a small tidal range. The tidal difference between the front and back of DTP becomes maximized on 180 degrees out of phase theoretically. Though the phase difference also increased with the length of DTP structure, it could not reach 180 degrees out of phase even at the DTP length of 50 km. Because the length of DTP structure should be longer than tens of kilometers considering the length of tide, it may cause economic and environmental issues. The phase difference was varied along DTP and it was increasing as the location of measurement moved closer to the coast. When the required length of DTP is optimized, it would be more practical. The study focused on the reduction of the DTP length and some shapes were suggested finally.