Table Of ContentTIDAL POWER
TIDAL POWER
Proceedings of an International Conference on the Utilization of Tidal
Power held May 24-29, 1970, at the Atlantic Industrial Research Institute,
Nova Scotia Technical College, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Edited by
T. J. Gray
Director, Atlantic Industrial Research Institute
Nova Scotia Technical College
Halifax, Nova Scotia
and
O.K.Gashus
Head, Electrical Engineering Department
Nova Scotia Technical College
Halifax, Nova Scotia
~
PLENUM PRESS • NEW YORK-LONDON • 1972
First Printing -February 1972
Second Printing -January 1973
Third Printing -July 1977
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 70-179031
ISBN-13: 978-1-4613-4594-7 e-ISBN-13: 978-1-4613-4592-3
001: 10.1007/978-1-4613-4592-3
© 1972 Plenum Press, New York
Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1s t edition 1972
A Division of Plenum Publishing Corporation
227 West 17th Street, New York, N.Y. 10011
All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without
written permission from the publisher
FOREWORD
At a time when public attention is focused on the environment, while
simultaneously society is increasing at an ever-accelerating rate its demand
for electrical power, the possibility of utilizing the power of the oceans by
pollution free tidal power generation is most attractive. Tidal power has been
used to a limited extent over several centuries but only recently has any sig
nificant effort been dedicated to realizing some of the vast potential.
The first pilot project at La Rance has now been operating successfully
for several years and the second experimental station using up-dated construc
tion techniques has been in operation at Kislaya Guba since 1969. These
projects have contributed valuable experience and establish the technical
feasibility of this important source of electrical power, while providing guid
ance in those areas requiring further development to realize economic viability.
More than fifty sites can be readily identified around the world where
tidal power schemes could realistically be developed. With improvements in
technology, this number might well be extended by utilization of a large
number of river estuaries. Such developments must be considered not only on
the basis of the production of electrical power but also in respect of associated
benefits. Considerable bodies of water would be partially confined, thereby
improving recreational facilities as has already been experienced at La Rance.
The reduction in tidal extremes can improve land utilization in the vicinity by
the elimination of flooding, while the tidal basin itself enhances the possibility
of fish farming . Transportation systems can use with advantage highways con
structed above the tidal barrage and secondary industry can be confidently
anticipated as developing both during the development and construction of the
tidal power installation and subsequently.
These many advantages can result from a power generating system
essentially free of environmental hazard. Tidal power has significantly less
effect on the ecology than even conventional hydro-electric systems, where
the flooding of large areas has a profound effect. Inherently tidal power
schemes leave the tidal regimen controlled but essentially unchanged. The
penalty for this in the past has been higher cost but this has now been entirely
changed by improvements in the technology, rising cost of conventional systems,
sharply rising cost and projected shortages of fuel and the cost of pollution
control.
v
vi FOREWORD
This International Conference has brought together world experts in
an overall consideration of the many complexities involved in the realization
of large tidal power projects. The Conference provided a forum for extended
discussions, which have been embodied in the revised articles from the partic
ipating authors. It has been effective in no small measure in stimulating
renewed interest in Tidal Power in general and the Bay of Fundy scheme in
particular.
The Editors wish to express their sincere appreciation for a supporting
grant from the Federal Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, Ottawa,
the use of the facilities of Nova Scotia Technical College and of the Atlantic
Industrial Research Institute, and for the assistance of many members of their
staff. Particular acknowledgment is made to Mr. C. Maclennan (Harza Eng
ineering), Mr. l. Kirkpatrick (Nova Scotia Power Commission), and to the
Board of Trustees of the Atlantic Industrial Research Institute for their sus
taining interest and assistance during the planning period.
The sincere appreciation of the Editors and Conferees is extended to
the Province of Nova Scotia, to the Voluntary Economic Planning Board of
Nova Scotia, to the Royal Bank of Canada, and to the Halifax Herald Limited,
for entertainment during the Conference, and to the numerous organizations
who contributed in many ways to its success.
A very special acknowledgment is due to Linda Flanders, who prepared
the preprint manuscripts and acted in so many important ways as general
secretary for the Conference. The preprints, which contributed notably to the
success of the Conference, were produced with the personal assistance of
Mr. George Baker of the Kentville Advertiser, many at the eleventh hour. A
final acknowledgment is due to Shirley Tutt, who completed the arduous pre
paration of the manuscript of these Proceedings.
T. J. Gray
O. K. Gashus
Halifax, Nova Scotia
June, 1971
CONTRIBUTORS
L. B. Bernshtein, Institute Hydroproject, The Ministry of Power
and Electrification of the U.S.S.R., Moscow, U.S.S.R.
M. Braikevitch, English Electric-AEI Turbine Generators, Ltd.,
G. E. C. Power Engineering Ltd., Liverpool, England
H. A. Erith, The Shawinigan Engineering Company, Ltd., Montreal,
Quebec, Canada
H. E. Fentzloff, Hochtief AG, Essen, West Germany
J. D. Gwynn, Engineering and Power Development Consultants, Kent,
England
R. V. L. Hall, Olin Corporation, Metals Research Laboratories, New
Haven, Connecticut
N. S. Heaps, Institute of Coastal Oceanography and Tides, Bidston
Observatory, Birkenhead, Cheshire, England
F. L. Lawton, Atlantic Tidal Power Programming Board, Halifax,
Nova Scotia, Canada
Georges Mauboussin, ancien Directeur de la d'Equipement
R~gion
Mar~motrice, d'Electricit~ de France
J. F. McGurn, The International Nickel Company of Canada Limited,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
R. M. McMullen, Atlantic Oceanographic Laboratory, Bedford
Institute, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
V. M. Odd, Ministry of Technology, Hydraulics Research Station,
Wallingford, England
M. W. Owen, Ministry of Technology, Hydraulics Research Station,
Wallingford, England
viii CONTRIBUTORS
F. E. Parkinson, laSalle Hydraulic Laboratory, laSalle, Quebec,
Canada
B. R. Pelletier, Atlantic Oceanographic Laboratory, Bedford
Institute, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
M. J. Pryor, Olin Corporation, Metals Research Laboratories, New
Haven, Connecticut
E. Ruus, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of
British Columbia, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
B. Severn, Balfour, Beatty and Company, Limited, Croydon, England
T. L. Shaw, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Bristol,
Bristol, England
T. J. Sluymer, H. G. Acres Limited, Niagara Falls, Ontario,
Canada
K. E. Sorenson, Harza Engineering Company, Chicago, Illinois
F. Spaargaren, Waterloopkundige Afdeling van de Deltadienst, The
Hague, Netherlands
M. C. Swales, Montreal Engineering Company, Montreal, Quebec,
Canada
P. R. Tozer, H. G. Acres Limited, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
A. N. T. Varzeliotis, Engineering Division, Inland Waters Branch,
Department of Energy, Mines, and Resources, Vancouver,
British Colombia, Canada
D. H. Waller, Atlantic Industrial Research Institute, Halifax, Nova
Scotia, Canada
J. G. Warnock, Acres Limited, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
C. R. Wilder, Portland Cement Association, Public Works and
Transportation Section, Skokie, Illinois
E. M. Wilson, Department of Civil Engineering, University of
Salford, Lancashire, England
J. A. M. Wilson, H. G. Acres Limited, Niagara Falls, Ontario,
Canada
A. J. Woestenenk, Bitumarin, Zaltbomm.el, Netherlands
CONTENTS
Keynote Address: Tidal Power in the Bay of Fundy
by F. L. Lawton
Economics of Tidal Power 105
by F. L. Lawton
Mathematical Model of Tidal Regimes in the Bay of Fundy 131
by F. E. Parkinson
Sedimentation Patterns in the Bay of Fundy and Minas Basin 153
by B. R. Pelletier and R. M. McMullen
L'Usine Maremotrice de la Rance 189
by G. Mauboussin
Kislaya Guba Experimental Tidal Power Plant and Problem 215
of the Use of Tidal Energy
by L. B. Bernshtein
Tidal Power from Cook Inlet, Alaska 239
by E. M. Wilson and M. C. Swales
The Tidal Power Plant "San Jose" Argentine 257
by H. E. Fentzloff
Some Considerations of a Possible New Role for Tidal Power 267
by T. L. Shaw
Pumped-Storage Tidal Power 277
by K. E. Sorensen
295
The Total Contribution of Tidal Energy to the System
by J. G. Warnock and J. A. M. Wilson
Integration of Tidal Energy into Public Electricity Supply 307
by E. M. Wi Ison and B. Severn
ix
x CONTENTS
Some Electrical Design and Operational Aspects of a Large 323
Tidal Power Development
by H. A. Erith
Modern Techniques for Barrage Construction 337
by J. D. Gwynn, F. Spaargaren and A. J. Woestenenk
Precast Floated in Construction as Applied to Tidal Power 365
Developments
by P. R. Tozer and T. J. Sluymer
Power Unit and Sluice Gate Design for Tidal Installations 379
by E. Ruus
Tidal Power: Research Subjects and Some Ideas for 395
Consideration
by A. N. T. Varzeliotis
Straight Flow Turbine 415
by Mr. Braikevitch
Tidal Effects Due to Water Power Generation in the 435
Bristol Channel
by N. S. Heaps
A Mathematical Model of the Effect of a Tidal Barrier 457
on Siltation in an Estuary
by M. W. Owen and N. V. M. Odd
Corrosion Characteristics of Non-Ferrous Metals in 487
Marine Applications
by M. J. Pryor and R. V. L. Hall
Corrosion Behavior of Ferrous Alloys in Marine Environments 529
by J. F. McGurn
Performance of Concrete in a Marine Environment 577
by C. R. Wilder
Some Neglected Economic Aspects of Power Production 601
with Reference to Tidal Power
by A. N. T. Varzeliotis
Environmental Effects of Tidal Power Development 611
by D. H. Waller
INDEX 627
TIDAL POWER IN THE BAY OF FUNDY
F. L. Lawton*
INTRODUCTION
It is a distinct honour to have the opportunity of discussing with you a
few of the many engineering and economic aspects involved in the utilization
of tidal power, as exemplified by the Bay of Fundy investigations.
It is singularly appropriate that this International Conference on the
Utilization of Tidal Power should be held under the auspices of the Atlantic
Industrial Research Institute and Nova Scotia Technical College for the
latter is not only the inspiration of the Institute but, more significantly, the
heart of engineering in the Atlantic Provinces of Canada.
It is unusually appropriate that this Conference should be held in this
historic seaport and City of Halifax which has seen so much of engineering
and economi"c change since the days of the water, wood and wind technology.
Now we are seeing the advent of a closely integrated high-speed air-water
land containerized transport. Both technologies rely on the utilization of
energy, originally wood, wind and waterpower, later coal and petroleum
derivatives. This Conference deals with another major source of energy.
It is most appropriate that this Conference should be held in Halifax
which, with its sister city across the Bedford Basin and the harbour, is the
centre of a shining galaxy of research, development and educational centres
in the form of the Atlantic Oceanographic Laboratory of the Bedford Institute
of Oceanography, the National Research Council of Canada, the Nova Scotia
Research Foundation, the Atlantic Industrial Research Institute, the Nova
Scotia Technical College, Dalhousie University and several others.
The recently completed investigation of the technical and economic
feasibility of development of the large tidal power resources in the Bay of
Fundy was not a matter of accident. It was based on the deliberate convic
tion that the resources existed. Could they be put to use economically?
To answer this question, it is worth recalling a few facts. Canada stems
*formerly Study Director, Atlantic Tidal Power Programming Board, Halifax,
Nova Scoti a .
