Study of Tidal-stream Energy Resource in the Pearl River Estuary

Today, the energy problem is more and more important. as a kind of renewable energy, People pays a great attention to tidal energy. Based on synthetic analysis of tidal characteristics of pearl river estuary, and establish the pearl river estuary overall mathematical model to calculate the pearl river estuary tide energy distribution and its change characteristics. The results of the study show that, tidal energy resources of the pearl river estuary are mainly concentrated in 5 zones, which are respectively Humen, Chiwan, Hongkong(Dahao waterway), Dawanshan islands and Aimen. In spring tide period,the zone of the highest energy density is big wanshan islands area, the rest are as follows: Humen, Hongkong, Chiwan and Aimen. In spring tide period, the energy density is 15 similar to 30kW/m2. In neap tide period,the energy density is less than 10kW/m2. The phase difference of tide velocity is 2-3 hours in humen, Dawanshan islands, Hongkong and. Chiwan,which is helpful for joint development and power stability. These high tidal zones locate in islands, where the flow velocity and the depth is larger,and bedrock on both sides is helpful to power generation equipment installation. Compared with previous, the innovation points of this paper is to setup overall flow mathematic model, which includes pearl river delta and esrtuary offshore,and quantitativly study tidal-stream energy distribution characteristics and change rule.