A techno-economic analysis of tidal energy technology

C.M. Johnstone, D. Pratt, J.A. Clarke and A.D. Grant

Renewable Energy, 2013, vol. 49, issue C, 101-106

Abstract: The choice of which type of electrical power generation technology to adopt is driven by a number of factors including: cost of generated electricity; responsiveness of generating plant to demand; security of supply/resource availability; environmental impact; and execution risk. Within these, tidal energy is unique as a renewable technology since it has the capability of providing predictable, firm power contributing to security of supply. This predictability gives tidal energy additional value in a future electricity market. Especially one where stochastic renewable technologies contribute to a sizable component of the power supplied; and where reserve capacity is required to maintain supply during periods of non-availability. In the shorter term, in order for tidal energy to gain commercial acceptance, tidal technologies under development need to produce electricity at a competitive price. This paper examines the drivers influencing electricity pricing; current tidal energy developments, aimed at reducing capital costs; and bench-mark these against offshore wind.

Keywords: Tidal energy; Off-shore wind power; Economic analysis; Firm power; Security of supply (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (27)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:49:y:2013:i:c:p:101-106

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2012.01.054

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