On Possibilities of Using Tidal Stream Turbine for Power Generation in Karnaphuli River

This paper presents the development of a MATLAB Simulink model for a Tidal Current Turbine. The model has been used to calculate the amount of power that can be generated from the port area of Karnaphuli river. Moreover, the required size of the tidal stream turbine has been calculated considering the site characteristics. Different calculated parameters were used as inputs for the mathematical model of tidal stream turbine. Based on the mathematical model, a model for Tidal Stream Turbine has been developed in MATLAB Simulink. The input parameters for this model were derived from the tidal current velocity data of Karnaphuli river and the mechanical design properties of the turbine. The simulation results showed that the tidal stream turbine system can generate approximately 1 MW from individual unit - the ideal generating capacity for which each generation unit was designed. However, the Simulink model doesn't take the system’s hydrodynamics into account. The findings of the system design show that it is possible to produce electricity from the tidal current velocities at Karnaphuli, Chittagong. The tidal plant’s economic value and cost analysis show that its overall energy costs are comparable to those of other tidal power plants currently in operation. With a proposal that data be acquired for specific places to estimate the power generating potential, this paper will help pave the way for additional research into the use of the nation’s tidal energy.