The UK has the second largest tidal range in the world after Canada. Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun, making tidal energy highly predictable and therefore a reliable source of renewable power.
Scotland’s tidal energy sector continues to develop, supported by investment in companies such as Orbital Marine Powerand the expansion of the MeyGen tidal array. Government initiatives, including the Marine Energy Taskforce, aim to strengthen Scotland’s position as a global centre for tidal innovation and supply chain development.
Two of the more common systems for capturing energy from tides are: • Tidal Stream generators: use the kinetic energy in moving water to power turbines. With ongoing developments in the technology this system has become more popular as the costs drop and has a lower ecological impact than other tidal options.
• Tidal barrages: are very similar to dams which cover the width of an estuary to capture the energy created from high and low tide heights (head) through the moving water.
Due to advancements in technology, tidal energy could generate cheaper power than other more well-known systems such as Nuclear Reactors. Hinkley Point C nuclear reactor, for example, has cost £25bn to build so far, where as the proposed West Somerset Tidal Range, Bristol Channel, would be £10bn. Another important factor to consider is a nuclear reactor lasts 60 years while tidal facilities can last 120 years and have no radioactive waste to be managed on decommissioning. However, further research is needed to address environmental impacts on coastal habitats and water quality, as well as challenges such as distance from electricity demand and tidal cycles not always matching peak energy use.
Background image for this poster was created by: Adam Azim on Unsplash
RESEARCH //
This section provides examples of a research, teaching or innovation taking place at Robert Gordon University related to this topic.
Researchers from the School of Computing, Engineering and Technology authored a paper in 2021 titled “Experimental testing on the influence of shaft rotary lip seal misalignment for a marine hydro-kinetic turbine.”
Tidal energy has received considerable attention over the past decade due to its predictability and high-power density. The research in the tidal turbine area has concentrated primarily on the improvement of the energy conversion efficiency.
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SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT //
Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan https://www.gov.scot/publications/draft-energy-strategy-transition-plan/documents/ Marine Energy - Renewable and low carbon energy https://www.gov.scot/policies/renewable-and-low-carbon-energy/marine-energy/#:~:text=Scotland%20is%20a%20world%20leader,most%20powerful%20tidal%20stream%20turbine.