INTERACTION BETWEEN HYDRODYNAMIC EFFECTS AND CONTROL POLICIES IN A TIDAL POWER SCHEME

We present a model of the operation of an energy-extracting barrage within a tidal estuary. The water motion is governed by the linearized one-dimensional shallow-water wave equations. The operation of the barrage is determined by the head across the barrage together with an open-loop control, which is obtained by optimizing the operation of a "flat surface" model to maximize energy output. The energy output and reduced tidal range from both models are compared for a number of different operating modes. The effects on energy output of a delay or an advance in the start of generation are examined.