With the increased demand of clean energy and global warming measures, the renewable energy development has been greatly increased recently. The TCP (Tidal Current Power) is one of the ocean renewable energy sources. Having the high tidal range of up to 10m on the west coast of Korea and narrow channels between islands on the south coast, there are many potential TCP sites with strong current speed. Therefore TCP would be the most applicable and practical energy source in Korea. The power generated from TCP is directly related to the flow speed that the kinetic energy is proportional to the cube of velocity. The upstream duct could accelerate the flow speed causing greater power generation. To investigate the effect of upstream duct to the speed increase, series of experiments have been carried out in CWC (Circulating Water Channel) and the various cases are analyzed using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). To optimize the duct configuration and to evaluate the performance with it, various duct length, diameter and angle were investigated and summarized in this paper.
The ocean renewable energy sources including TCP have the greater potential and impact than other sources due to the high density where the power generation is proportional to the density. Not like other renewable source, the TCP is very predictable and reliable energy source. Many studies have been introduced on the application of tidal current power system such as those by Garbuglia et al. (1993) and Young (1995). Walsum (1999) has introduced the current power system in Fundy which has the largest tidal range. Jo et al. (2007 and 2008) have investigated the interference effects of rotors placed on a multi-module and have published the experiment results on the application of tidal current power system in the cooling water weir.
