Cost Comparison
Tidal v Solar/Wind v Fossil
© 2016 InfraTidal Pty Ltd
Tidal Energy’s Continuous Power Cost Advantage
Tidal flows can provide power at a significantly lower cost than diesel
generation or unreliable weather-effected renewables for which the
cost of continuously available power increases linearly with MTBF
(Mean Time Between Failure). For instance -
For 1MW of continuous power –
•
tidal power with 4 hours useful generation in 6 hours (2/3 cycle)
requires 1.5 MW generating capacity and 2 MWh of energy
storage capacity to provide continuous power indefinitely
(guaranteed availability);
•
solar power at 8 hours useful generation in 24 hours (1/3 cycle)
requires 3 MW generation capacity and 16 MWh of energy
storage capacity to provide continuous power for just 24 hours
(if not weather-effected);
Solar power requires -
2 x Generating Capacity and 8 x Energy Storage Capacity
of tidal power and still cannot guarantee availability for even one
day, let alone indefinitely.
As a result, to provide continuos renewable energy -
the capital cost of tidal power is ~40% that of solar power,
as tidal uses the same renewable energy generators, electrical and
energy storage equipment as wind power, which is still cheaper than
solar but less reliable and so more expensive for continuous power.
WHEN THE SOURCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IS
UNRELIABLE THE AMOUNT OF PLANT REQUIRED
AND CAPITAL COST INCREASES MANY FOLD.
Off-Grid / Remote Area Power Systems (RAPS)
