Design of tidal range energy generation schemes using a Genetic Algorithm model

Refined hydro-environmental modelling for tidal energy generation: West Somerset Lagoon case study

“…These results are also consistent with similar 0D model predictions, used to optimise the scheme, and giving comparable predictions of the annual energy output of 4.87 TWh and 5.71 TWh for fixed-head and flexible head generation, respectively and leading to differences of 1% and 0.35% for annual energy outputs for fixedhead and flexible head generation, respectively. This confirms that the simplified 0D model simulated the operation well for the WSL and hence this operation scheme could be used for the 2D modelling [30].…”

“…The location of the turbine housings and sluice gates were distributed uniformly initially, while subsequently they have been adjusted to account for local bathymetric and geological conditions, with further studies being undertaken to investigate the optimal environmental considerations and impacts. Based on optimization studies carried out previously at Cardiff University, using a flexible operation of the turbines and based on the findings obtained from a Genetic Algorithm model, the initial layout for the WSL incorporates 125 bulb turbine generators, each of 7.2 m diameter, split equally between 5 housing blocks [30]. The capacity of each turbine is 20 MW, with a total installed capacity of 2.5 GW.…”

“…In order to reduce the loss of basin inter-tidal habitat and to increase net energy output, the WSL scheme (as proposed by TEES) includes pumping but this has not been included in this research. In this study, two different two-way generation scenarios without pumping, and derived from a Genetic Algorithm model, were used as the operation methods for WSL [30]. The first operation scheme was based on the traditional two-way operation of the turbines, with an optimised fixed generation head, and with the energy generation start and end heads being 4.9 m and 2.5 m respectively.…”

“…The total energy generated during a typical springneap cycle for fixed and flexible generation schemes were predicted to be 0.196 TWh and 0.233 TWh, respectively. The energy generated over the typical cycle can then be multiplied by 24.6 to provide the annual generation [30]. This gives 4.82 TWh and 5.73 TWh per annum for fixed-head and flexible head generation, respectively.…”

“…The paper also focuses on studying the hydro-environmental impacts of the proposed West Somerset Lagoon (WSL), with this project being one of the largest lagoon proposals currently being considered in the UK. The scheme design has been optimised for maximum electricity generation with pumping and is expected to generate 7.16 TWh/year [30]. However, this study does not focus on energy generation optimisation and therefore does not include pumping.…”