Implementation of tidal turbines in Quebec

Study of the implementation of tidal turbines in Quebec

Philippe KOUAMÉ

Project DirectorDominique Pelletier

July 29th 2010

Outline of the presentation

1. Introduction

2. Methodology

3. Results et discussion

4. Conclusion et prospects

1. Introduction

Issue

Where does the implementation of tidal turbines will be profitable?

What would be the necessary ways?

What would be the cost of electricity from these tidal turbines?

What would be the advantages and drawbacks of this technology?

2. Methodology

Understand the working of a tidal turbine

State of the technology

Identify issues and socioeconomic impacts

Identify issues and environmental challenge

Inventory the potential for tidal turbines

3. Results and discussion

Working of a tidal turbine

Technological progress

Unit cost: 16 215 000 $

Nominal power: 1 MW

Annual output:700000 kWh/an

Unit cost : 325 000 $

Nominal power : 200 kW

HS1000 , Hammerfest Strom (Norway)Hydrohelix (France)

Nominal power: 1.5 MW for 2 turbines

Skerries project, MCT (UK)

Turbine Gorlov - GCK Technology Inc (USA)

Nominal power: 2.4 MW

Open center turbine- Ocean energy Inc (USA-Florida)

Nominal power :5 à 25kW

Davis Hydro Turbine - Blue Energy (Canada)

Issues and socioeconomic impacts

Cost of the project for the installation of Eastmain 1-A (918 MW) : 5 Billions $ , comparatively to 3.5 Billions $ for the installation of a tidal turbine farm of 1000 MW (MCT)

The price of the kWh from tidal turbine would cost around 7¢ and 11¢ (BB&V 2006) comparatively to 6.60¢ for the city of Montreal at the same time (Hydro Québec)

After the payback of investment, the cost of the kWh would be equivalent and even less expensive than electricity from nuclear energy and hydropower (Blue Energy)

Job creation for the north area of Quebec where unemployment is around 10%

Issues and environmental challenges

No GES emission

Minor Perturbations of the seabed which need to be investigated deeply

Installation step could have strong impacts with excavation and blasting

Electricity provided in the north of Quebec by diesel powerplant

Results for du Saint-Lawrence estuary

Results for Hudson strait

Usable Strategies in Quebec

Tidal turbines totaly immersed and set on the seabed

For the region of Hudson Strait

Tidal turbines totaly immersed and set on the seabed

Tidal turbines totaly immersed and set on the seabed

For the Ungava Bay

For Saint-Lawreence Estuary

Avantages of the technology

Clean and inexhaustible source of energy

Predictable many centuries ahead

No dependence on weather

Visual impact almost non-existent

Drawbacks of the technology

Repair can be difficult for some turbine models

Installation may be difficults for the site with a waterflow above 3.5 m/s

Excavation needs the use of boat that can lean on seabed

4. Conclusion

Tidal turbine’s implementation is less expensive than an hydroelectic dam’s implementation

After payback on investment, the cost of electricity is identical or even less expensive than electricity from hydroelectricity

For the environmental impacts, more researchs should be done and implementation projects should be submited to the BAPE

Questions?