Tidal energy potential in the gulf of California

Abstract

In this paper an attempt to analyze the feasibility of an electric energy generation system using tides as its source is made. Tides are a well known source of renewable energy, their energy is available as kinetic or potential energy and, unlike solar or wind power, tidal energy is easily predictable. The use of this sort of energy is not new; several plants have been in existence since the 60’s, such is the case of the biggest tidal barrage power plant in the world: La Rance, which is located in the estuary of the Rance River in France. It has a capacity of 240 MW(Marañón-Antolín, 2008). Nowadays there are several types of technologies for tidal energy extraction; such is the case of those using tidal streams. While these systems are still in early development, they are expected to provide a considerable amount of electric energy in a not so distant future (IEA, 2009). Currently, the technological capability to use tides as a source of energy exists; however, lack of detailed and thorough studies in certain specific regions is still a hindering factor. In Mexico, the region of the Gulf of California is a well-known zone for its high tides; therefore, their effects have been studied in detail (Carbajal N. , 1993). Several papers have analyzed the possibility to use this region for electric energy generation (Hiriart-Lebert G. , 2009; Lopez Gonzales, Silva-Casarin, & Hiriart-Lebert, 2010), but most of them lack of deep numerical analysis, geographical considerations and, in most cases, they only consider one type of technology. An exhaustive quantitative analysis of this area will provide information and possible scenarios that may ease the decision of making a real tidal energy project for Mexico.