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

Journal article

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.

Authors: Todeschini, G; Coles, D; Lewis, M; Popov, I; Angeloudis, A

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Journal: Energy
• Volume: 238
• Issue: A
• Article number: 121990
• Publication date: 2021-09-06
• Acceptance date: 2021-09-02
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.121990
• EISSN: 1873-6785
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• Language: English
• Keywords: tidal energy; renewable energy sources; grid integration; energy storage