Dynamic Tidal Power is based on the principle that tides don’t operate strictly horizontally but also flow in parallel to the shore as well, which allows a type of barrage to be built perpendicular to the shore.
Dynamic Tidal Power (DTP) is a way to use the natural tides for generating sustainable energy.
A dam-like structure is built perpendicular to the shore in a shallow sea basin.
Such dam changes the long-wave dynamics of the tide in such a way that a head difference is created over the dam.
This head is much more than the kinetic energy height, because of the acceleration forces which are inherent to tides.
Although the head remains relatively small (1-3 m), the discharge is enormous, leading to high installed power rates. A DTP dam can be combined with various other functions, such as protection against waves and tsunamis, deep sea ports, aquaculture facilities, (controlled) land reclamation and connections between islands and the mainland.
As costs barriers, these additional functions help to lower the price per kWh to competitive levels.
The POWER group, constituted of 8 Dutch companies, announced that it will perform a detailed feasibility study on the development of DTP in China.
Take a look at the video demonstrating the concept of Dynamic Tidal Power.
Source: POWER; Image: Arcadis