Efficient unstructured mesh generation for marine renewable energy applications

Avdis, Alexandros; Candy, Adam S.; Kramer, Stephan C.; Piggott, Matthew D.

doi:10.1016/j.renene.2017.09.058

Cited by 66 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…The mesh generation approach described by Avdis et al [37,38] was followed to produce the multi-scale unstructured triangular meshes to discretise the study domain. Two meshes with the same resolution characteristics have been generated in order to consider the tidal hydrodynamics with and without the tidal lagoons present.…”

Section: Tidal Energy Case Studies and Hydrodynamic Simulationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimising tidal range power plant operation

Angeloudis¹,

Kramer²,

Avdis³

et al. 2017

Preprint

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• We describe numerical methods to simulate the operation of tidal range power plants.• We couple simplified power plant operation models with gradient-based optimisation algorithms.• The consideration of a flexible operation with pumping is shown to have the potential to deliver significant energy gains.• Optimisation of larger plant designs should be coupled with hydrodynamics solvers. A R T I C L E I N F OKeywords: Tidal range energy Tidal lagoon Marine energy Resource assessment Control optimisation Gradient-based optimisation A B S T R A C T Tidal range power plants represent an attractive approach for the large-scale generation of electricity from the marine environment. Even though the tides and by extension the available energy resource are predictable, they are also variable in time. This variability poses a challenge regarding the optimal transient control of power plants. We consider simulation methods which include the main modes of operation of tidal power plants, along with algorithms to regulate the timing of these. This paper proposes a framework where simplified power plant operation models are coupled with gradient-based optimisation techniques to determine the optimal control strategy over multiple tidal cycles. The optimisation results inform coastal ocean simulations that include tidal power plants to gauge whether the benefits of an adaptive operation are preserved once their hydrodynamic impacts are also taken into consideration. The combined operation of two prospective tidal lagoon projects within the Bristol Channel and the Severn Estuary is used as an example to demonstrate the potential benefits of an energy maximisation optimisation approach. For the case studies considered, the inclusion of pumping and an adaptive operation is shown to deliver an overall increase in energy output of 20-40% compared to a conventional two-way uniform operation. The findings also demonstrate that smaller schemes stand to gain more from operational optimisation compared to designs of a larger scale.

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Section: Tidal Energy Case Studies and Hydrodynamic Simulationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimising tidal range power plant operation

Angeloudis¹,

Kramer²,

Avdis³

et al. 2017

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…Their unstructured meshes (in Fig. 3) are generated using qmesh [43] and the models are forced using eight tidal constituents from the TPXO [44] database (M 2 , S 2 , N 2 , K 1 , Q 1 , O 1 , P 1 , K 2 ). The hydrodynamic model validation has been conducted by comparing tidal range predictions against observed data, with more details available in Angeloudis et al [5].…”

Section: Tidal Energy Case Study: the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoonmentioning

confidence: 99%

Utilising the flexible generation potential of tidal range power plants to optimise economic value

2019

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Tidal range renewable power plants have the capacity to deliver predictable energy to the electricity grid, subject to the known variability of the tides. Tidal power plants inherently feature advantages that characterise hydro-power more generally, including a lifetime exceeding alternative renewable energy technologies and relatively low Operation & Maintenance costs. Nevertheless, the technology is typically inhibited by the significant upfront investment associated with capital costs. A key aspect that makes the technology stand out relative to other renewable options is the partial flexibility it possesses over the timing of power generation. In this study we provide details on a design methodology targeted at the optimisation of the temporal operation of a tidal range energy structure, specifically the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon that has been proposed within the Bristol Channel, UK. Apart from concentrating on the classical incentive of maximising energy, we formulate an objective functional in a manner that promotes the maximisation of income for the scheme from the Day-Ahead energy market. Simulation results demonstrate that there are opportunities to exploit the predictability of the tides and flexibility over the precise timing of power generation to incur a noticeable reduction in the subsidy costs that are often negotiated with regulators and governments. Additionally, we suggest that this approach should enable tidal range energy to play a more active role in ensuring security of supply in the UK. This is accentuated by the income-based optimisation controls that deliver on average more power over periods when demand is higher. For the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon case study a 23% increase is observed in the income obtained following the optimisation of its operation compared to a non-adaptive operation. Similarly, a 10% increase relative to an energy-maximisation approach over a year's operation suggests that simply maximising energy generation in a setting where power prices vary may not be an optimal strategy.

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“…For the 2-D Thetis simulations, the mesh generation software described in [27], [28] was employed in order to produce the multi-scale unstructured triangular meshes that are refined in areas of interest, such as in the vicinity of the tidal range structures as seen in Fig. 4 for the Swansea Bay lagoon case.…”

Section: Tidal Range Structure Case Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of 0-D, 1-D and 2-D model capabilities for tidal range energy resource assessments

Angeloudis¹,

Piggott²,

Kramer³

et al. 2017

Preprint

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Abstract-Tidal range energy projects present an attractive means for the predictable and large-scale generation of electricity from the marine environment. In particular, proposals are under consideration in UK waters, with their feasibility currently being under high levels of scrutiny. This is due to a combination of potential environmental and socio-economic impacts that are challenging to quantify in the absence of a standardised methodology. At present, numerical models are being developed to provide robust resource/impact assessments and inform future designs. However, modelling inconsistencies in the representation of tidal power plants, operational algorithms, and turbine technology parameters can be observed in the studies to-date. This has made comparisons between proposed designs difficult to accomplish and rely upon. We present a series of models that progressively and consistently introduce spatial dimensions in resource prediction applications. The capabilities and limitations of each of these models are discussed with regard to the evaluation of energy resource and potential hydrodynamic impacts of tidal power plant proposals. Results highlight that a range of hydrodynamic scales should be considered, employing updated parametric models relating to the turbine technology capabilities. These steps will inform optimisation analyses and the robustness of tidal power plant proposals.

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Efficient unstructured mesh generation for marine renewable energy applications

Cited by 66 publications

References 64 publications

Optimising tidal range power plant operation

Optimising tidal range power plant operation

Utilising the flexible generation potential of tidal range power plants to optimise economic value

Comparison of 0-D, 1-D and 2-D model capabilities for tidal range energy resource assessments

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