Storage systems for tidal power

Summary form only given. The effective use of tidal power by a typical electrical power system requires energy storage to retime the input to meet load demand. The cost of tidal power generation is relatively high and cannot be economically absorbed by the power system as secondary energy. Its constitution is more valuable when delivered at intermediate load factors. Traditional modes of "retiming" have usually involved hydro-electric pumped storage either within the tidal development itself or in separate facilities on the system. Compressed air storage has more recently been considered as a possible alternative. The paper reviews an interesting concept where the storage function is compared with the power generation through direct compression of air by the hydraulic turbine drive. Comparative costs of alternative retiming arrangements for typical tidal power developments in the Bay of Fundy are provided.