Obtaining energy from tidal microturbines: A practical example in the Nalón River

•Hydraulic model of Nalón River using HEC-RAS and open source geographical data.•Two sections with peak values of hydraulic annual energy.•Micro turbine tidal array to generate energy for an intelligent lighting system.•Definition and operation strategy of a Lighting Smart Grid along river mouth. Ti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied energy 2016-12, Vol.183, p.100-112
Main Authors: Alvarez, Eduardo Alvarez, Rico-Secades, Manuel, Suárez, Daniel Fernández, Gutiérrez-Trashorras, Antonio J., Fernández-Francos, Joaquín
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Lighting Smart Grid
Microgeneration
One-dimensional flow
River mouth
Tidal array
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Summary:•Hydraulic model of Nalón River using HEC-RAS and open source geographical data.•Two sections with peak values of hydraulic annual energy.•Micro turbine tidal array to generate energy for an intelligent lighting system.•Definition and operation strategy of a Lighting Smart Grid along river mouth. Tidal energy has significant potential yet to be developed. Sizeable investments, operating costs and environmental impact are barriers that have to date restricted its development. However, microturbine arrays which are viable in coastal locations can help minimize the initial investment as well as operating costs and environmental impact. This paper puts forward a complete smart grid design based on tidal microturbine arrays following a methodology that includes a selection of optimal locations, the design of smart grid tidal generation and consumption components. The methodology has been applied to the estuary of the Nalón River. For the evaluation of the tidal resource and determination of the optimum locations free license software is used to simulate a one-dimensional flow. In order to achieve this, a geometrical model of the river mouth using open source geographic data and nautical information has been built. The results demonstrate high water velocities throughout the year as well as high tidal energy potential in zones that make the installation of a smart grid feasible. This smart grid includes a microturbine tidal array to generate energy and an intelligent Lighting Smart Grid system to light a promenade along the river mouth depicted as an application of the energy produced.
ISSN:0306-2619
1872-9118
DOI:10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.08.173