![]() ![]() This cyclic power behaviour helps limit the duration that energy must be stored to balance supply with demand. This creates four periods of power generation per day, with each power period separated by slack tide. Tidal stream turbines generate power when the tide comes in and out. Research shows that the cyclic nature of tidal power generation means it can be integrated with short duration energy storage, such as lithium-ion batteries. This prevents having to oversize systems to help overcome inconsistent supply, which would incur additional cost. ![]() For example, with predictable supply, energy storage plants can be designed to take the excess tidal power generated during spring tides, when the tidal resource is highest, and shift it to neap tide periods when tidal power generation is lower. With this knowledge of exactly when and how much power tidal turbines and lagoons can generate any time in the future, it becomes far easier to design energy systems capable of balancing supply with demand. ![]() The timing and magnitude of tidal power generation is dictated by the motions of the Sun, Earth and Moon, which are well understood. This helps to improve the resilience of energy systems to extreme weather, by reducing reliance on expensive imported energy to make up for unpredictable domestic supply deficits when they occur. ![]() Whilst the energy produced by wind and solar will dip below expected seasonal levels again in the future, there is certainty that tidal energy supply will remain consistent. The reliability of tidal power means its able to supply approximately the same amount of energy every month, regardless of weather conditions. But what do these characteristics actually mean, in terms of the benefits the tidal resource can provide to energy systems as a whole? Not only that, but unlike most other renewable power technologies, the tides provide a predictable, reliable and cyclic energy resource. It is estimated that energy harnessed from the tides using tidal stream turbines and tidal lagoons has the potential to provide 26% of the UK’s current electricity demand. The UK’s energy security strategy highlights that opportunities offered by tidal energy are now being aggressively explored. Whilst wind will rightly be the primary source of renewable power in the UK, how will another extended period of low wind resource be managed in order to keep the lights on our as reliance on its supply increases? The UK has targets to increase offshore wind capacity from its current level of approximately 10 GW to 50 GW by 2050. It is becoming apparent that energy produced in the UK is the safest route to delivering secure affordable, sustainable supply. The after effects of these simultaneous events included over 30 energy suppliers ceasing trading, a 54% rise in the retail price cap of energy, and Treasury spending an estimated £2.2 billion to keep a larger energy supplier operational. Ongoing nuclear power plant shutdowns limited their combined output to 5.5 GW, 32% lower than the total 9.5 GW installed capacity. The problem was compounded by lower than average domestic wind and nuclear power supply.Ī 3 week lull reduced wind energy production by 60% relative to the expected level for the time of year. At the time, the UK was already heavily dependent on imported natural gas due to dwindling domestic natural gas reserves. During Autumn 2021, rising global demand for natural gas increased its wholesale day-ahead price in the UK by approximately 100% over just one month. ![]()
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