A challenging engineering problem. They said it would never work. But seals and bearings are still working after 6.5 yrs.
Can capture electricity from tidal flows. Much potential as tidal flows are large in places like Chesapeake Bay, Puget Sound, San Francisco Bay, Long Island Sound, etc. Could turbines generate electricity in rivers like the Mississippi, Hudson, Missouri.
Engineers are making progress. Can they achieve competitive costs and reliability?
That is unexpected.
DB2
The reliability will be found out with time. The news item, as is often the case, doesn’t mention cost. However, back in 2014 when the construction project got under way a cost of £51 million was estimated. This would be about $90 million in today’s dollars. Because of the low capacity factor (tides don’t run all the time) and non-peak production, the cost for this electricity is going to be high.
DB2
Yes, the Missouri River does have run-of-river hydroelectric power generation. Several dams along the river, including Holter Dam, are specifically designed for this purpose. Run-of-river facilities generate electricity by utilizing the natural flow of the river without relying on large reservoirs for water storage.
Ameren Keokuk is the only major hydro project on the Mississippi. Lots of Dams with locks on the upper Mississippi but no other hydro.
We’ve discussed this before. Not enough elevation to make hydro projects attractive. But lots of flowing water. A largely untapped energy source.