Abstract
Muskeget Channel is an opening 6 miles wide on the south side of Nantucket Sound between Muskeget and Chappaquiddick Islands. The currents through the channel are strong, having a velocity of 3.8 knots on the flood and 3.3 knots on the ebb about 1.5 miles east of Wasque Point and providing an average of 13.8 MW of kinetic power. About 2MW (15%) of it can be extracted without any significant environmental impacts. A power plant of that scale could reach a peak capacity of just a bit over 4MW. Given the relatively small generation potential, the site could be tapped as a distributed renewable generation source.
This document describes the results of a system level design, performance and cost study for both a demonstration pilot plant and an economics assessment of a commercial size in-stream tidal power plant installed at the site. The primary purpose of this design study was to identify and quantify the risks and benefits of using TISEC technology at site. As such it addresses the technology, energy production, cost of a pilot and commercial power plant system and cost of electricity.