INTRODUCTION TO OCEAN AND WAVE ENERGY

More than 70% of Earth's surface is covered by oceans which contain two types of energy:

Mechanical energy from waves and tides and Thermal energy from solar radiations falling on the ocean surface making them the world's largest solar collectors.

Even though the sun affects all ocean activity, tides are driven primarily by the gravitational pull of the moon, and waves are driven primarily by the winds.

Wave Energy
As ocean waves are created by the interaction of wind with the surface of the sea, waves have the potential to provide an unlimited source of renewable energy. Wave energy can be extracted and converted into electricity by wave power machines. They can be deployed either on the shoreline or in deeper waters offshore. The total power of waves breaking on the world's coastlines is estimated at 2 to 3 million megawatts. In favorable locations, wave energy density can average 65 megawatts per mile of coastline. The Wave Energy available can be approximately calculated using the formula A simple mathematical formula to estimate the average wave power per unit crest width contained in a regular sinusoidal is given by

g2 P= H 2T 32

(for deep water wave)

Where, = density of salt water = 1025kg/m3 g = 9.81m/s2 H = Wave Height in m T = Time period of wave in seconds In case of intermediate water depth (d/L ranging from to 1/20) the average power of sinusoidal wave per unit crest width becomes g2 2kd P= H 2T 1 + tanh 2kd 32 sinh 2kd

For random waves the average wave power contained can be approximately calculated using the formula g2 S( f ) P= df 4 f g2 2 H m 0Tm 02 (for deep water wave) 64 In case of intermediate water depth (d/L ranging from to 1/20) the average power of random wave per unit crest width becomes 2km 01d g2 2 P= H m 0Tm 01 1 + tanh 2km 01d 64 sinh 2km 01d =

Three approaches to capture wave energy are:

Float or Pitching Device or buoyant moored device
The device floats on or just below the surface of the water and is moored to the sea floor. A wave power machine needs to resist the motion of the waves in order to generate power: part of the machine needs to move while another part remains still. In this type of device, the mooring is static and is arranged in such a way that the waves motion will move only one part of the machine. Electricity is generated from the bobbing or pitching action of a floating object which can be mounted to a floating raft or to a device fixed on the ocean floor. The figure is shown in figure 1.

Oscillating Water Columns (OWC) An oscillating water column is a partially submerged, hollow structure that is installed in the ocean. It is open to the sea below the water line, enclosing a column of air on top of a column of water. Waves cause the water column to rise and fall, which in turn compresses and depresses the air column. This trapped air is allowed to flow to and from the atmosphere via a Wells turbine, which has the ability to rotate in the same direction regardless of the direction of the airflow. The rotation of the turbine is used to generate electricity. The figure is shown in figure 1. Hydrodynamics of OWC The OWC wave energy device is a resonating device which can be tuned to any predominant frequency of the wave by altering the dimensions of the device. As far as hydrodynamic aspects were concerned, the focus was on theoretical and experimental studies for the development of shape and optimum dimensions of the OWC device. Theoretical analysis was done for a two-dimensional model with the assumption of potential flow conditions. For comparing the theoretical predictions, models were tested under two-dimensional wave conditions. Various models of different sizes were

fabricated and tested by the project group to find the influence of different geometries on the hydrodynamic performance of OWC. These different models having rectangular and curved back walls, streamlined entry, etc. were tested in a 30 cm narrow wave flume, 90 cm wide wave flume, 2 m and 4 m flumes (Koola 1990). Experimental optimization was also done with the inclusion of parallel guide walls for the waves to enter the device. This model (harbour concept) was also tested under random conditions. A comparative performance of various models (Raju, Ravindran 1989) is shown in Figure 2.

Hinged contour device

Here, the resistance to the waves is created by the alternate motion of the waves, which raises and lowers different sections of the machine relative to each other, pushing hydraulic fluid through hydraulic pumps to generate electricity. A hinged contour device is able to operate at greater depths than the buoyant moored device. These shoreline devices, also called "tapered channel" systems, rely on a shoremounted structure to channel and concentrate the waves, driving them into an elevated reservoir. Water flow out of this reservoir is used to generate electricity, using standard hydropower technologies. The figure is shown in figure 1.

Figure 1: Different Wave Energy extracting devices

Figure 2 : Comparative Hydrodynamic Performance of various models

Drawback The main problem with wave power is that the sea is a very harsh, unforgiving environment. An economically-viable wave power machine will need to generate power over a wide range of wave sizes, as well as being able to withstand the largest and most severe storms and other potential problems such as algae, barnacles and corrosion.

Tidal Energy
Tidal energy exploits the natural ebb and flow of coastal tidal waters caused principally by the interaction of the gravitational fields of the earth, moon and sun. The coastal water level fluctuates twice daily, alternatively filling and emptying natural basins along the shoreline. The currents flowing in and out of these basins can be exploited to turn mechanical devices to produce electricity. A variant of tidal energy is tidal stream (or marine current) technology. Tidal streams are fast sea currents created by the tides, often magnified by topographical features, such as headlands, inlets and straits, or by the shape of the seabed when water is forced through narrow channels. The technology required to convert tidal energy into electricity is very similar to that used in traditional hydroelectric power plants. Gates and turbines are installed along a dam or barrage that goes across a tidal bay or estuary. When there is an adequate difference in the height of water on either side of the dam, the gates are opened and the hydrostatic head that is created causes water to flow through the turbines, turning a generator to produce electricity. Electricity can be generated by water flowing both into and out of a bay. As there are two high and two low tides each day, electrical generation from tidal power plants is characterized by periods of maximum generation every six hours. Alternatively, the turbines can be used as pumps to pump extra water into the basin behind the barrage during periods of low electricity demand. This water can then be released when demand on the system is at its greatest. This allows the tidal plant to function with some of the characteristics of a pumped storage hydraulic facility. In order to produce practical amounts of electricity, a difference between high and low tides of at least 5 metres is required. The technology used for tidal streams is slightly different to that used in tidal barrages, and is still in its infancy. Tidal stream devices are similar to submerged wind turbines and are used to exploit the kinetic energy in tidal currents.

TIDAL POWER PLANT Advantages The primary advantages of tidal power plants are the following: regularity of power production from year to year with less than 5% annual variation permits the simultaneous use of the dam for a road or rail road; long-term operational lifetime of plant; protects vulnerable coastlines from storm waves and flooding provides a non-polluting and inexhaustible supply of energy. Cross-section of a tidal barrage

Drawbacks The primary drawbacks of tidal power plants are the following: high capital costs for initial construction limited number of potential sites. A minimum tidal range (the difference between high and low tide levels) is needed if tidal power is to be practical. A range of 5 m is often cited as the minimum. Over the past three decades, the feasibility of using ocean tides to generate electric power has been investigated at many sites throughout the world. Results suggest that the potential for economic development is small with only six suitable areas representing well over half of the potential for development of tidal energy. They are as follows: i)The headwaters fo the Bay of Fundy (Canada) ii)The Severn estuary (United Kingdom) iii)The Gulf of St. Malo (France)

iv)The south-east coast of China v)The Russian coast bordering the White Sea vi)The Russian coast bordering the Sea of Okhotsk Other potentially feasible sites include: the Mersey estuary and smaller sites bordering the Irish Sea and the Bristol Channel (United Kingdom), the Gulf of Kachch (India), the west coast of Korea, the north-west coast of Australia, Cook Inlet (Alaska), and the Gulf of San Jose (Argentina) [9]; potential for negative environmental impacts such as water quality, estuarine feeding areas for birds and other animals, and the passage of migratory fish. It is important to note that few studies have been conducted to assess the environmental impacts of constructing a tidal power plant and it has been generally determined that each specific site is different and the impacts depend greatly upon local geography. Local tides changed only slightly due to the La Rance barrage, and the environmental impact has been negligible. This may not be the case for all other sites. Very little is understood about how altering the tides can affect incredibly complex aquatic and shoreline ecosystems. Conclusions Tidal power is a proven technology and has the potential to generate significant amounts of electricity at certain sites around the world. Although, our entire electricity needs could never be met by tidal power alone, it can be invaluable source of renewable energy. The negative environmental impacts of tidal barrages are probably smaller than those of other sources of electricity, but are not well understood at this time. The technological feasibility of both major and minor tidal power designs has been established and the main barrier to increased use of the tides is that of construction costs. The future costs of other sources of electricity, and concern over environmental impacts, will ultimately determine the exploitation of tidal power.

Ocean Thermal Energy

Oceans cover of Earth's surface makes them the world's largest solar collectors. The sun's heat warms the surface water a lot more than the deep ocean water, and this temperature difference provides exploitation of ocean thermal energy. Just a small portion of the heat trapped in the ocean could power the world. A process called Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) uses the heat energy stored in the Earth's oceans to generate electricity. OTEC works best when the temperature difference between the warmer, top layer of the ocean and the colder, deep ocean water is about 20oC (36F). These conditions exist in tropical coastal areas, roughly between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer. Ocean thermal energy has been effectively used for many applications, including electricity generation. There are three types of electricity conversion systems: closedcycle, open-cycle, and hybrid. Closed-cycle systems use the ocean's warm surface water to vaporize a working fluid, which has a low-boiling point, such as ammonia. The vapour expands and turns a turbine. The turbine then activates a generator to produce electricity. Open-cycle systems actually boil the seawater by operating at low pressures. This produces steam that passes through a turbine/generator. And hybrid systems combine both closed-cycle and open-cycle systems. Space cooling requirements for onshore buildings applications can be successfully met by direct use of cold sea water from deep sea levels.

Benefits of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

We can measure the value of an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plant and continued OTEC development by both its economic and noneconomic benefits. OTEC's economic benefits include these:

Helps produce fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol Produces base load electrical energy Produces desalinated water for industrial, agricultural, and residential uses Is a resource for on-shore and near-shore mariculture operations Provides air-conditioning for buildings Provides moderate-temperature refrigeration Has significant potential to provide clean, cost-effective electricity for the future.

OTEC's noneconomic benefits, which help us achieve global environmental goals, include these:

Promotes competitiveness and international trade Enhances energy independence and energy security Promotes international sociopolitical stability Has potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions resulting from burning fossil fuels.

In small island nations, the benefits of OTEC include self-sufficiency, minimal environmental impacts, and improved sanitation and nutrition, which result from the greater availability of desalinated water and mariculture products.

Image Multiple OTEC Plant

Marine Current Energy

Useful energy can be generated from marine currents using completely submerged turbines comprising of rotor blades and a generator. Water turbines work on the same principle as wind turbines by using the kinetic energy of moving fluid and transferring it into useful rotational and electrical energy. The velocities of the currents are lower than those of the wind, however owing to the higher density of water (835 times that of air) water turbines are smaller than their wind counterparts for the same installed capacity.

The power that is able to be extracted from the currents is dependent on the velocity of the water flow and the area and efficiency of the water turbine, and can be calculated as follows: where r is the density of sea water (1025 kg/m3) A is the area of the rotor blades (m2) v is the marine current velocity (m/s) Cp is the power coefficient, a measure of the efficiency of the turbine Marine current energy is at an early stage of development, with only a small number of prototypes and demonstration units having been tested to date. There are no commercial grid-connected turbines currently operating. A number of configurations have been tested on a small scale that is essentially marinised wind turbines. Generally speaking, turbines are either horizontal axis or vertical axis turbines. Variants of these two types have been investigated, including turbines using concentrators or shrouds, and tidal fences.

Horizontal axis turbines (axial flow turbine). This is similar in concept to the widespread horizontal axis wind turbine. Prototype turbines of up to 10 kW have been built and tested using this concept. There are currently plans to install a demonstration machine of 300 kW off the south coast of the United Kingdom (MCT, 2000). Concentrators (or shrouds) may be used around the blades to increase the flow and power output from the turbine. This concept has been tested on a small scale in a number of countries, including New Zealand (Rudkin, 2001).

Vertical axis turbines (cross flow turbine). Both drag and lift turbines have been investigated, although the lift devices offer more potential. The best-known example is the Darrieus turbine with three or four thin blades of aerofoil crosssection. Some stand-alone prototypes have been tested, including a 5 kW Darrieus turbine in the Kurushima Straits, Japan. The concept of installing a number of vertical axis turbines in a tidal fence is being pursued in Canada, with plans to

install a 30 MW demonstration system in the Philippines (Blue Energy, 2000)

Drawbacks
In order for marine current energy to be utilised, a number of potential problems will need to be addressed, including: Avoidance of cavitations by reducing tip speeds to approximately 8 m/s. This suggests a turbine with a higher solidity than a wind turbine; Prevention of marine growth building up on the blades or ingress of debris; Proven reliability, as operation and maintenance costs are potentially high; Corrosion resistance, bearing systems and sealing;

Turbines may be suspended from a floating structure or fixed to the sea bed. In large areas with high currents, it will be possible to install water turbines in groups or clusters to make up a marine current farm, with a predicted density of up to 37 turbines per square km. This is to avoid wake-interaction effects between the turbines and to allow for access by maintenance vessels

Salinity gradient/Osmotic energy

Salinity is measured as the ratio of weight of dissolved salts to total weight; the ratio is usually expressed as parts per thousand (ppt). 75% of seawater has a salinity ranging between 34-35 ppt (Fig. 13). The average salinity in the oceans is 34.7 ppt, i.e., on an average there is 34.7 g of salt in every kg of seawater. Salt gradient energy is derived from the latent heat of dilution. As water vapor takes more energy to evaporate it from the sea than from a fresh water lake, this inherent energy difference between fresh water and sea water is released whenever freshwater reenters the sea. The energy released where every river reaches the sea is enormous, at 2.65 MW/m3 per second of fresh water mixing with sea water. This is the equivalent of a waterfall 270 meters high at each river mouth. If this energy could be harnessed, its theoretical potential would be enormous; however, as an energy resource it is very widely disbursed and consequently the practical technology to exploit it does not exist at present. Therefore, it is unlikely that this resource will be applied on any scale for the foreseeable future, although it could be an interesting topic for academic research into possible longterm energy solutions.

Potential in India
The Indian Ocean is the third largest body of water in the world covering about 20 per cent of the earths water surface. Indian Oceans energy potential comprises of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) potential 1, 80,000 MW, Wave Energy potential about 40,000 MW and Tidal Energy Potential about 8,000 MW. INDIAN ENERGY SCENARIO India's energy development programme has been put to severe pressure with the everincreasing demand supply gap and mismatch of resources coupled with non-uniform growth curve. The challenges faced by India in the management and developments of the power sector are multi-dimensional and they stem fundamentally form the following: i) ii) iii) Increase in demand for energy due to rapid industrialization and growing population. Constraint of financial resources for enhancing this infrastructure facility Limited reserves of coal and fossil fuels and consequent burden on foreign exchange due to increasing imports

In response to these challenges, the energy policy that was evolved focuses on Rapid development of all forms of energy, both conventional and non-conventional. Promoting energy conservation and efficient management of demand Environment conservation and sustainable development Development of decentralized energy systems based on renewable sources especially for use in rural areas. The total installed capacity in India is 96266.04 MW including Thermal. RENEWABLE ENERGY SCENARIO India is generously endowed with renewable energy resources viz. solar energy, wind energy, biomass and small hydro, widely distributed across the country, and can be utilized though commercially viable technologies to generate power/energy. Increasing use of these sources will also be Hydel, Nuclear and Renewable as on 31.01.2000. However, there is a supply-demand gap of 8 to 10 per cent and peak load demand of 18 to 20 per cent. This has also accentuated by non-decentralized nature of power generation with vast area in the rural segment are not connected by the grid for reliable and quality power instrumental in simultaneously achieving environmental objectives. Renewable energy technologies fit well into a system that gives due recognition to decentralization and local participation.

The potential of various Renewable Energy technologies in India have been estimate as: Energy Source Solar Energy Wind Energy Small Hydro Ocean Thermal Power Sea Wave Power Tidal Power Bio energy Draught Animal Power Energy from MSW Biogas Plants Improved Wood Burning Stoves Bagasse-based cogeneration Estimated Potential 20 MW / sq. km 20,000 MW 10,000 MW 50,000 MW 20,000 MW 10,000 MW 17,000 MW 30,000 MW 1,000 MW 12 Million Plants 120 Million Stoves 3500 MW

The following table gives the cost of installation and the cost of generation of some of the more mature renewable energy technologies in the Indian context. Sector Small Hydro Wind Energy Biomass Power Bagasse Cogeneration Biomass Gasification Solar PV Capital Cost (Million Rupees per MW) 30 to 6 35 to 40 30 to 40 25 to 30 25 to 30 250 to 300 Cost of Generation (Rupees per kWh) 0 1.00 to 2.00 2.00 to 2.75 1.75 to 2.00 1.75 to 2.00 1.25 to 1.50 10.00 to 12.00

The Indian geographic area is 3.29 sq km and Indias Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is 2.1 million sq km with the Indian coastline stretching 8,129 km. The different source of Ocean Energy Potential in India is as follows:-

Wave Energy
The average wave potential along the Indian coast is around 5-10 kW/m. India has a coastline of approximately 7500 km. Even 10% utilization would mean a resource of 3750 7500 MW. The average wave height and wave energy potential distribution along Indian coast is shown in Table 1 and 2 respectively.

The Indian wave energy program started in 1983 at the Institute of Technology (IIT),Madras under the sponsorship of the Department of Ocean Development, Government of India. Initial research was conducted on three types of device: double float system, single float vertical system and the oscillating water column (OWC) but it was found that the OWC was the most suitable for Indian conditions: development activities have thus since concentrated on this type. A 150 kW pilot OWC was built onto the breakwater of the Vizhinjam Fisheries Harbor, near Trivandrum (Kerala), with commissioning in October 1991. The scheme operated

successfully, producing data that were used for the design of a superior generator and turbine. An improved power module was installed at Vizhinjam in April 1996 that in turn led to the production of new designs for a breakwater comprised of 10 caissons with a total capacity of 1.1 MWe. The caissons are designed to be spaced at an optimum distance apart, in order to increase their overall capture efficiency to above that of a single caisson. The National Institute of Ocean Technology succeeded IIT and continues to research wave energy, although the project on hydrodynamic aspects of the Backward Bent Ducted Buoy (a variant of the OWC design) that was being carried out at IIT has been completed. The Indian wave energy plant at Vizhinjam, Kerala has demonstrated that energy from a random source such as waves can be harnessed as electrical energy and exported via the local grid. The physical processes in the energy conversion are understood to a much greater extent, leading to a threefold increase in absolute power from the plant. Efforts are on to make the technology cost-effective

Economic Analysis of Wave Power

At present, more than 80% cost of the wave energy plant is due to civil construction (concrete caissons). Considerable cost savings can be obtained using the concept of multi-functional breakwaters wherein a power module forms an incremental addition to a caisson breakwater. It is proposed to demonstrate the utility of this concept with the design and construction of a breakwater with a number of power modules. In addition, it is uneconomical to construct a bottom standing caisson structure in deeper water where energy potential is high. Making the structure compliant, i.e., constructing floating devices reduces the forces on the structure without significant loss in absorbed power. It is proposed to carry out research in this direction which will lead to a prototype off-shore floating wave power plant using the concept of the backward bent ducted buoy. Estimates of the forecast cost per unit of electricity for various wave devices were made by Thorpe (Ref. 2) in 1998. They show offshore and near shore devices producing power in the 5-7 pence/kWh range (based on 8% discount rate). The trends shown in the same report show a halving in the predicted cost over a period of six or seven years. This is borne out by the experience of onshore wind energy costs, which have been seen to fall by a factor of five over 12 to 15 years. Based on these results, it is reasonable to expect that wave energy unit costs can be made to fall to the 2-3 pence/kWh range within 3 to 5 years.

The success or otherwise of meeting this trend will depend on several factors including:

the ability of developers, manufacturers and installers to engineer-out cost from devices, especially as greater numbers are manufactured and deployed in arrays; the commitment of governments and local authorities to streamline planning and regulatory processes; the development of suitable approaches to grid connection, both for smaller "embedded" supplies and major power sources. This requires governments, electricity distributors and the financial community to collaborate in new ways; the flow of innovation from R&D on more cost-effective materials, design and construction methods; mechanisms being made available (under national electricity regulation regimes) to support specific emerging technologies with access to long-term contracts and/or to include wave power in capital grant mechanisms while the technologies mature; the ability of the wave power industry to show good practice in standardized independent testing and performance assessment methods from an early stage; the willingness of the financial community to recognise the key role of renewable energy technologies (including wave energy conversion) as a significant future proportion of the energy balance and to seek positively to invest into it.

OTEC
As a tropical country with a long coastline, India has tremendous ocean thermal energy potential. The OTEC technology uses the water temperature difference at the surface (at about 290 C) and at a depth of 1,100 metres (at about 70 C) to produce electricity. National Institute of Ocean Technology was involved in the design, development and demonstration of a 1 MW OTEC floating plant-the largest of its kind-in the Indian waters. This is to be commissioned 60 km south east of Tuticorin, South India where an ocean depth of 1200m available. The site surveys, computer analysis, model studies were done in 1999. The basic power cycle design was completed within 4 months. The plant was integrated and stage qualification tests were carried out in 2000-02. The project has been commissioned in January 2003. This paper is projecting the technological and economical aspects of the OTEC with an overview of the various pre-commissioning activities of the project.

This kind of non-polluting renewable energy source is appropriate for power-starved nation like India. Though it is capital intensive now, improvements in technology and higher rated plants can bring down the unit cost considerably. India's OTEC resource potential is estimated at around 180,000 MW. For the mainland, the cost of power generation for plants upwards of 25 MW is expected to be comparable to fossil fuel units. But for islands, an OTEC power plant of any size is cheaper than the conventional generation units.

OTEC resource within EEZ of India

Estimated overall potential 180000 MW 2.56 million sq.km EEZ Ongoing projects: The 1 MW barge research and demonstration facility being developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology, India (NIOT) with technical support from Institute of Ocean Energy, Saga University (IOES) Identified sites: Kavaratti Kulasekarapattinam Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Economical Feasibility of OTEC It goes without saying that economics is one of the key elements for verification of OTEC power plant. Advanced studies made thus far on thermal cycle and heat exchangers have brought promising results of far improved efficiency of OTEC system as a whole. Although the efficiency of the system itself varies depending upon temperature conditions, the latest heat cycle so called Uehara cycle using ammonia/water mixture fluid as working medium can attain a 30-50% higher efficiency as compared to Rankine cycle. Thanks to the highly effective plate heat exchanges newly developed by Saga University, the power consumption of pumps for cold and warm seawater can be lowered

to 3040% of the conventional case. Considering all new achievements, we can easily predict the latest OTEC technology will produce twice as much net power from the same heat source as the conventional OTEC.In addition to such great improvement of the capability, the reduction of cold depth water quantity with advanced condenser provides smaller sized configuration of piping for DOW riser piping, and thus the economical performance is much improved. Various accounting models have been applied to determine the cost for the OTEC system. As example of trial calculation, the cost of electricity generated by the OTEC is estimated by NIOT (India), who is now proceeding with an experimental OTEC plant, as shown in Table 1. According to several accounting models, it has been determined that for a large plant of 50-100MW, the unit cost would be competitive with a coal-fired power station, while for a small plant of 15MW the unit cost would be about the same or less than that of a diesel power station. However OTEC is valuable not only in power generating, but in additional activities.

Tidal Energy
Two estuaries on the west coast : Gulf of Cambay & Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat Gulf of Kutch potential estimated to be 900 MW; annual output of 1.6 TWh Potential of Gulf of Cambay : 7000 MW, basin area of 1970 sq-km, annual output of 15 TWh Along east coast : Sunderbans in West Bengal 20 MW power estimated in regions of Dungaduani, Belladonna Creek & Pitts Creek

India may have its first and the worlds fifth tidal energy power plant at Durgaduari creek in Sundarbans. With the coastal regulatory zone clearance and environmental clearance in hand, the ministry of non-conventional sources(MNES) is all set to execute the tidal project. According to MNES, India has a combined potential of 9,000 mw in Kutch, Sundarbans and Gulf of Cambay. "If the project would prove to be a success, India would expand its venture into exploiting tidal waves," said a government source. The 3.65-mw tidal plant in Sundarbans would make it the fourth largest in the world leaving behind China which has a 3-mw installed tidal power plant. Russia has the largest with a 400-mw capacity followed by France at 240 mw and Canada at 20 mw. The estimated cost of the project is about Rs 40 crore. On the other hand, a hydro plant with a similar capacity would cost about Rs 20 crore. A tidal energy power plant, though more expensive to set up, would do away with controversies over flooding, graver environmental problems and problems of rehabilitation. Also, tides being a result of the gravitational pull of the moon towards the earth, makes it a highly predictable phenomena. This would bring about certainty in power generation. The infrastructure for a tidal power plant requires sluices or gates and turbines that run underwater along the tide's entry into the island enclave. The stretch for the whole exercise would be about 120 meters wide and 8,500 meters long. With regard to harm done to marine life in this area, the government ensures that it will be negligible. The saline atmosphere that would affect the equipment is something the operation maintenance would have to deal with. With 90% financial assistance from the Centre, the West Bengal renewable energy development agency is now ready to execute the plan. The government is already in talks with NHPC regarding civil works, architecture and the kind of turbines to be used.

The Gulf of Khambhat was identified as a promising site for tidal power generation by UNDP Expert, Mr. Eric Wilson in the year 1975. In 1988-89 a Reconnaissance Report was prepared for the dam across the Gulf of Khambhat. The report concluded that, assuming sound foundation conditions, the closure of Gulf was technically feasible. The State Government carried out Pre-feasibility Study for the project through M/s Haskoning foreign Consulting Firm which was completed in 1998.The pre-feasibility study for the development of the Gulf of Khambhat, is the essential step in the project preparation after the 1989 reconnaissance report concluded that the Khambhat development is potentially viable and recommended to select the most attractive scale and combination of development potentials of Kalpasar. The principal objective of this pre-feasibility study, therefore, was the formulation of the answers to the following questions: 1. Could the technical viability of the closure of the Gulf of Khambhat be confirmed? 2. If yes, what could be the potential developments that could be achieved by the creation of the Kalpasar reservoir, in terms of water supply and power generation and what additional benefits can be obtained? 3. What would be the most attractive combination of uses of the Kalpasar reservoir and the dam? 4. What could be the economic, financial and environmental impacts of the development of the Gulf of Khambhat? For the assessment of the technical viability, the foundation conditions for dam construction were to be explored and the hydraulic conditions simulated during and after closure. Moreover, water availability and desalinization process needed to be evaluated. In accordance with the Terms of Reference for the present study, the closure works should include closure of the Narmada estuary. Fresh water storage and tidal power generation are two competing uses of the Kalpasar reservoir, since part of the capacity for the storage of fresh water is to be sacrificed for the creation of a tidal power basin. Optimizing the use of the Kalpasar reservoir comes, therefore, essentially down to the assessment of the section, if any, of the reservoir to be used for tidal power generation. In the economic and financial evaluation, emphasis has been put on the appraisal of the prospect to have the private sector participating in building and operating the Kalpasar scheme. Environmental evaluation concentrated on the assessment of the sustainability of the Kalpasar reservoir with respect to the quality of its waters and on the impact of closure works on marine and estuarine ecosystems. The study concluded that tidal power generation benefits should be supplemented by creation of a sweet water basin by impounding surplus water of the Narmada, Dhadhar, Mahi, Sabarmati which would provide irrigation, water supply and reclamation benefits. It also concluded that the development of Gulf of Khambhat is feasible from the technical and socio-economic points of view.

A project thus, conceived initially as a tidal power project was transformed as tidal power cum fresh water supply project providing large multipurpose benefits. It is, in fact, a project envisaging total multipurpose development of the Gulf of Khambhat. This unique concept has, in no small measure, contributed to the economic viability of the Kalpasar. The scope and size of the project would perhaps exceed that of any other similar project in the world. The Government of Gujarat, after review of Pre-feasibility Report, decided to carry out Six Intermediate Studies before a decision is taken on going ahead with the preparation of a full scale Feasibility Report. These studies addressed some major concerns regarding environmental aspects and techno-economic feasibility as follows: 1. Integration of Kalpasar project benefits with the benefits from other projects in Gujarat State. 2. Assessment of water quality in Kalpasar lake as a result of addition of salts and pollutants from the upper catchment areas and feasible pollution control measures with special reference to the feasibility of accrual of benefits of irrigation, municipal and industrial water supply and others envisaged in the Project. 3. Environmental impact of the project with special reference to the following: o Impact on flooding in the lower reaches of Narmada, Mahi and Sabarmati, water levels and silting and other morphological changes in the estuaries. o Silting in Kalpasar lake and tidal effects in the Kalpasar tidal basin for power generation. o Effects on the Gujarat ( main land) and Saurashtra coastlines below Kalpasar by more detailed mathematical modelling. 4. Drainage aggravation and consequential adverse impact on water logging in Bhal and peripheral area. 5. Salt balance in the reservoir and surrounding Bhal areas, 6. Techno-economic re-appraisal of the tidal power generation having magnitude envisaged in the Project. The Government of Gujarat engaged six teams comprising National and International experts and carried out the studies, which revealed that fresh water lake with appropriate operational rules will maintain acceptable levels of water quality for projected beneficial uses in future. To ensure sustainability of benefits, however, several measures will be required for treatment of the effluents generated by industries and cities including urban and rural areas and diverting these outside the Kalpasar Lake by a channel/conduit. The hydrological and morphological impact studies of likely conditions within the reservoir as well as downstream and upstream, determined the magnitude and rate of silting in the reservoir, (both in the tidal as well as fresh water basins), the increase in tidal range, and effects on Saurashtra and Gujarat mainland coasts. All these, with appropriate mitigation measures, have been found to be well within the limits of planning and design of the Kalpasar Lake. Drainage aggravation including flooding and salt balance in the peripheral area would be manageable after opening of the area for surface drainage and lifting of saline water for disposal where necessary.

The Specific Study on tidal power generation concluded that Tidal power generation in the Gulf of Khambhat is technically feasible and the tide range is fully adequate for this purpose. It also revealed that after the year 2021 the western regional grid of India would be able to absorb tidal power and unit cost of power generation would compare well in relation to the alternative sources viz. thermal and atomic power. The studies established that technology exists for closure of the dam and for economic and safe construction of the dam. The study brought out that the double basin concept for tidal power should be examined in greater detail since it may provide a superior option. The components of Detailed Project Report would include:1. Sea-bed engineering surveys including bathymetry, peripheral surveys and offshore data collection. 2. Environment impact assessment and social impact assessment. 3. Mathematical regime modeling. 4. Geo-technical & Geo-physical Investigations. 5. Topographical surveys. 6. Establishment of GIS & Database. 7. Other technical investigations including seismic investigation. These components are narrated in detail under current status topic.

Ocean Current in India

The ocean currents during the North-East and South-West monsoons.

Salinity Gradient

BARRIERS IN OCEAN ENERGY DEVELOPMENT The main bottlenecks for large scale development of Renewable Energy includes in following: Risks involved in the transformation of technologies from novelty to mainstream. Distortions in energy market and easy availability of conventional energy with established networking arrangements. Stiff competition form subsidized conventional energy and its universal applicability. Lack of large scale production facilities. High capital investment and marginal commercial viability Lack of marketing mechanisms Less number of major players in the industrial segment Lack of Awareness Lack of adequate capital at affordable cost Limited access to financial resources and high cost of finance Lack of micro and retail financing Lack of adequate policy and institutional frame work Lack of trained manpower

Conclusion
India has good know-how and technical knowledge in many commercially viable Ocean Energy technologies. However, the infrastructure for large scale development and deployment are not available in comparison to conventional forms of energy which were developed over a number of years. The natural advantage available to conventional energy due to its high level of maturity in all spectrums of its development and usage is not available to Ocean Energy technologies. In India, there should be a judicious mix of large scale and small scale installation and production of Ocean Energy depending upon the technology and usage and niche applications. For example, many grid power technologies can have medium or large scale installations with long term viability options which will supplement the grid with quality and uninterrupted power. However, decentralized utilization of Ocean Energy can be developed as niche applications in remote areas.