That's very little head. Does anybody have the engineering data on these projects? Have they built a smaller installation to prove the concept?
Head height is a major factor in hydro power installations.
Head height is a major factor in hydro power installations.
http://tidallagoon.opendebate.co.uk/files/TidalLagoon/DCO_Ap...
One other thing I noticed upon briefly skimming is they're considering installing turbines which can also be used as pumps. I suppose in principle, at the cycle of the tide when the head is low and the plant isn't producing power, you could use the same facility as pumped storage.
There's also a rather florid promotional video here, if anyone's interested:
Tidal lagoon / barrage power generation is already a thing, so the concept is well proven.
> Does anybody have the engineering data on these projects?
This paper covers the maths: http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/sustainable/book/tex/Lago... (while also exploring ways to increase head above tidal range).
The link is: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-31682529
And chisb put a additional link to: http://www.tidallagoonswanseabay.com/proposal-overview-and-v...
They have a little more information.
Looks like for most of the power generation phase the head will be about 5m. According to their paper generation is effective down to about 1.5m