A new PhD project, fully funded, was advertised for a physical scientist, engineer or mathematician to explore the potential of tidal barrages as a means to generate a reliable source of renewable energy. An offer has now been made to one of the candidates who applied.
A particular focus of the work will be the impact of the barrage on the flow pattern in the estuary system, including the non-linear feedbacks on the flow rate and power production, as well as exploring the impact of the turbine and barrage on the sediment transport and mixing processes between the river water and the sea water in the estuary.
The project is of direct relevance for the plans to build new tidal barrages / tidal power systems and for interpreting and exploring the data from the La Rance tidal barrage in northern France.