Modular Tidal Barrage Installation via Foundation Terraces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tidal energy extraction systems face challenges such as mechanical complexity, high costs, environmental disruption, and inefficiencies due to end and edge effects, making it difficult to achieve industrial-scale power generation from tidal flows.
Innovation Solution
A modular barrage system using SMEC (Spectral Marine Energy Converter) modules with vertically arranged pipes and a deck structure, installed across an estuary or strait, which creates a venturi effect to drive an impeller and generate electricity, eliminating edge losses by maintaining the bow wave and allowing for scalable energy extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a conventional tidal barrage is constructed across an estuary, then energy extraction capability is improved, but construction cost and environmental disruption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The barrage is divided into multiple modular units that can be manufactured separately and assembled in place. Each module contains its own turbine mechanism and can be installed independently, reducing overall construction complexity and cost while maintaining effective energy extraction across the estuary
Solution Approach 2:
A floating or semi-submersible platform structure serves as an intermediary between the riverbed and the turbine mechanisms, allowing the turbines to be accessed and maintained more easily while still capturing tidal flow energy effectively, thereby reducing construction and maintenance costs
2Productivity
If the barrage structure is made very large to overcome end and edge effects, then energy extraction efficiency is improved, but device complexity and expense increase beyond current engineering capability
Solution Approach 1:
The large-scale barrage is segmented into standardized modular units that can be replicated and assembled to achieve the required scale for overcoming end and edge effects, while keeping each individual module's complexity within current engineering capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple simple modular units are merged together to form a large-scale effective barrage structure, achieving the necessary size to overcome edge effects while maintaining simplicity at the component level through standardization
3Power
If an underwater propeller system with very long blades is used to maximize exposure to incident current energy, then power generation capability is improved, but mechanical complexity and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller system is replaced with multiple smaller turbine mechanisms distributed across the barrage modules, each handling a portion of the water flow. This segmentation eliminates the need for very long blades while maintaining power generation capability and reducing mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic long blade elements are extracted from the design and replaced with compact turbine mechanisms that achieve the same energy extraction function without the mechanical complexity and material challenges of very long blades
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The modular design simplifies installation, reduces environmental impact, and achieves efficient energy conversion beyond the Betz limit, with scalable power generation capabilities and reduced edge losses, making it more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
a series of pipes are arranged such that venturi are defined. Water flow between these pipes causes the venturi to act as pumps drawing water up through the pipes
Implementation Method 2
The construction of a full depth barrage across the entire width of a body of water maintains the bow wave effect by ensuring that the incident flow is directed through the barrage
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of and modules for installing a barrage across a body of water for generating electricity from tidal or current flow, the barrage being formed from a series of modules (12) each of which comprises a base structure (18) carrying a number of substantially vertical pipe structures (22) in a spaced, side-by-side arrangement, and a deck structure (32) extending across the top of the pipe structures and supported by at least two pipe structures, the method comprising: preparing a series of foundation terraces across the bed of the body of water substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow, each foundation terrace providing a substantially flat base on which the base structure of one or more modules can be positioned; and positioning a series of modules on the terraces side by side such that the base section of each module rests on a terrace and the deck structure of each module is located at substantially the same height as that of its neighbouring modules.