Every so often, there’s some new and exciting green technology that catches my eye, and the new Bluenergy Tidal Bridge system is an example of that. Bluenergy have created a system that generates energy from tidal water from a bridge rather than a reservoir. By using a bridge rather than a reservoir, environmental impact is minimised in addition to creating a transport infrastructure and still permitting the use of shipping lanes.
In the video below, Bluenergy present the Tidal Bridge as a better alternative compared to a conventional bridge for a location in China where a bridge is being considered. The bridge would allow for a motorway and a train network which would considerably reduce travel times, and therefore vehicle emissions. However, a tidal bridge would also produce a substantial amount of energy in addition to all the benefits that a conventional bridge would bring.
The tidal bridge design features vertical turbines that generate the energy. The turbines have been designed so that small fish and plankton can just flow straight through the turbines. For larger marine life, the sonic-based sensors on the turbines will stop the turbines if a larger animal gets too close. This is a fascinating idea, and I’d be very interested to find out more about how it works.
In terms of maintenance, the electrical systems for the bridge are near the surface. Therefore any fixes and repairs can be done using the crane system, making it easier and therefore less expensive to fix any problems. This reduces the need for specialist under-water maintenance too, which could be expensive and disruptive.
What’s really refreshing about this design is that it’s a distillation of common sense ideas and practical technology. I look forward to seeing some Tidal Bridges around the world over the next few years!
Source: Bluenergy