ACADEMIC PROJECT - UNIVERSITY LEVEL (BEng Hons Mechanical Engineering) (COMPLETE)

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The aim of this project was to take on the challenge of developing a feasible renewable energy system via the use of a tidal turbine. The following criteria had to be met for this project to be considered successful:

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• Suitable choice of location around the coast of the UK for installation of a tidal turbine lagoon system.

• Economic study and real life viability of installing system.

• Design of a new and innovative tidal turbine system.

• Investigation into power production of tidal turbine system and contribution to UK power grid infrastructure.

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Selection of tidal turbine coastal location

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As a lot of technical details and requirements would be determined by the physical location of the tidal turbine, this was the logical place to begin. The area that we chose was Portland Harbour which was located on the south coast by Dorset, this was chosen due to a lot of the structure required for a functioning tidal lagoon being present, with a long length of harbour wall in place that 3 gaps along its length for passage of ships. Utilisation of this pre existing structure would be done by placing a cluster of tidal turbine units in 2 of the gaps and having a lock in the third gap, allowing for ships to enter and exit the harbour.

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Utilisation of this pre existing structure would be done by placing a cluster of tidal turbine units in 2 of the gaps and having a lock in the third gap, allowing for ships to enter and exit the harbour.

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