Making waves in the energy sector

COP28 president, Sultan Al Jaber, made headlines with his claim that there is “no science” to indicate a phase-out of fossil fuels will prevent further global warming. Though he later said the comment had been taken out of context, it’s clear that greener energy sources must do more to compete. So, how could tidal energy play its part?

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In 2015, 195 nations signed the Paris Agreement, pledging to limit the Earth’s temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

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Temperatures rising above this benchmark would cause us to lose:

-????? Coral reefs ??

-????? Polar habitats ????

-????? Stretches of coastline ??

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Global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels, which have been directly linked to the Earth’s warming, hit a record high in 2023, showing more must be done to limit our reliance.

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Diversifying renewable energy sources

A key step to ensuring energy availability is diversifying power sources. Tidal power, for example, is surprisingly untapped in the UK. As an island nation with the second-strongest tides in the world, the UK is uniquely positioned to use tidal power. One study suggests that tidal generation could meet up to eleven per cent of the UK’s annual electricity demand. This would be a huge increase from current figures, with just 1.8 per cent of our electricity generated by hydropower in 2022.

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Tidal power offers multiple advantages. Currents are highly predictable, meaning it’s easier to manage electricity production. And because water is much denser than air, a tidal turbine can produce substantially more energy than a similarly sized wind turbine, even in non-ideal conditions.

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Unfortunately, tidal projects also present challenges, such as:

-????? Local ecosystems that limit potential sites ?

-????? Higher costs due to the requirement to withstand winds and seawater ??

-????? Difficulty with carrying out regular maintenance due to remote locations ??

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Fortunately, there are opportunities to minimise these drawbacks, particularly regarding repairs and downtime. One study found that blade failure was the most common cause of tidal turbine breakdown, most of which was caused by design flaws.

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The study found that loads were frequently being underestimated during the design phase, causing turbines to fail when the water was at high velocity, or during sudden water flow changes. ?

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Introducing dynamic braking

Including a dynamic braking resistor (DBR) in the generation and control circuit can help. The resistor acts as an electrical buffer, protecting against excess power generated by strong currents. This surplus electricity can be safely dissipated, preventing the electrical circuit from becoming overloaded and damaged. Consequently, it’ll be less prone to damage and require less frequent maintenance and repair work as a result.

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Climate change continues to be a major global issue, but we’re running out of time to act. Renewables must play a crucial role in our net zero future. By making the most of the latest in electronics technology and improved design, it’s possible that renewable sources like tidal power will become our new normal — and we’ll wonder why we stuck around with fossil fuels for so long in the first place.

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To discover Cressall’s experience in supplying air and water-cooled resistors for marine and renewable projects, visit the website, or follow the company page for more updates.