TY - JOUR

T1 - Medium-term variability of the UK's combined tidal energy resource for a net-zero carbon grid

AU - Todeschini, G.

AU - Coles, D.

AU - Lewis, M.

AU - Popov, I.

AU - Angeloudis, A.

AU - Fairley, I.

AU - Johnson, F.

AU - Williams, A.J.

AU - Robins, P.

AU - Masters, I.

PY - 2022/1/1

Y1 - 2022/1/1

N2 - The small area of the United Kingdom relative to weather systems makes renewable energy sources variable on short time scales. Short term variability is therefore a growing concern with increasing amounts of renewable energy integration. In this work, we address how tidal energy can contribute to reducing medium-term variability in the future UK energy mix. Two tidal integration scenarios are defined for 2050: for each scenario, a 5-min interval generation profile is calculated using an oceanographic model of UK tides, and the medium-term variability is assessed. Here we show that tidal power shows a lower level of variability compared to other resources. During spring tides, a national network of tidal power stations can produce continuous, although variable, electricity. It is then shown that tidal energy and storage can provide year-round continuous and constant power output, i.e. baseload generation. Therefore, we conclude that tidal energy can provide positive contributions and complement other renewable energy sources.

AB - The small area of the United Kingdom relative to weather systems makes renewable energy sources variable on short time scales. Short term variability is therefore a growing concern with increasing amounts of renewable energy integration. In this work, we address how tidal energy can contribute to reducing medium-term variability in the future UK energy mix. Two tidal integration scenarios are defined for 2050: for each scenario, a 5-min interval generation profile is calculated using an oceanographic model of UK tides, and the medium-term variability is assessed. Here we show that tidal power shows a lower level of variability compared to other resources. During spring tides, a national network of tidal power stations can produce continuous, although variable, electricity. It is then shown that tidal energy and storage can provide year-round continuous and constant power output, i.e. baseload generation. Therefore, we conclude that tidal energy can provide positive contributions and complement other renewable energy sources.

KW - Tidal energy

KW - Renewable energy sources

KW - Grid integration

KW - Energy storage

U2 - 10.1016/j.energy.2021.121990

DO - 10.1016/j.energy.2021.121990

M3 - Article

VL - 238

JO - Energy

JF - Energy

SN - 0360-5442

M1 - 121990

ER -