What happens when the tide is slack and not moving?
Marine turbines depend upon the current and slack tide means that generation will be minimal. The turbines will be arranged over a large distance and bathymetry surveys suggest that minor flows are always present. Nevertheless, for the 15 hours a day when there are tidal flows we can accurately predict the total output and sell that output effectively to complement other power sources. Currents range up to 2.5 metres per second (5 knots or 9 kph) and electricity generation should begin from about 0.7 metres per second of tidal flow. Electricity systems manage major fluctuations in demand through the day and seasons. Any system must be capable of responding to these fluctuations. Relative to fluctuations in demand, those that occur due to changes in output of marine turbines are minor.
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- What happens when the tide is slack and not moving?
