Tidal energy is seen as a near market ready source of predictably variable energy generation, which has the implication that the level of tidal generation can be dispatched with the conventional generation leaving no need for extra reserve. Such a form of generation would be welcomed by the grid system operators in preference to unpredictable generators. Three developers of Tidal Energy Devices (TED's) have been considered as systems in the late stages of development, 2 systems with horizontal axis turbines and 1 system with an undulating wing design. The location and magnitude of the tidal resource was estimated to be capable of an average output of 130 MW over a few locations using the first commercial TED's, with the implication of only a small reduction in the diurnal variation in supply. Following advances in TED size, it may be possible get an average output of 325 MW over a greater area. This would lead to a greater ability to reduce diurnal variation of supply by spreading the feasible tidal generation sites over more diverse tidal phases.
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