Design of tidal barrage power schemes

A simplified approach to the design of impounded estuarine tidal power schemes is described, based on the mean tidal amplitude and the surface area of the enclosed basin. Power outputs of 0·27 and 0·37 of the available energy can be realised for one-way and two-way operations, respectively. Generally good agreement is found between these theoretical designs and engineering schemes constructed at La Rance and proposed in the Bay of Fundy and Bristol Channel. The dimensionless approach described here allows designs to be readily scaled down to the much smaller-scale schemes presently under consideration. The additional energy output, for the same installed capacity, in the two-way operation combined with a flushing regime closer to the undisturbed state appears, on environmental grounds, to recommend this operational mode.