Abstract
The narrow passage under the Golden Gate Bridge, which connects the San Francisco bay to the Pacific Ocean is home to some of the most energetic currents in North America. In average 237 MW of power is embodied in the tidal stream, of which about 35 MW could be extracted without any negative impact on the environment. A plant of that scale could reach an electrical output of about 100 MW at peak.
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 in San Francisco. The primary purpose of this design study was to identify and quantify the risks and benefits of using TISEC technology at the San Francisco Golden Gate bridge site. As such it addresses the technology, energy production, cost of a pilot and commercial power plant system and cost of electricity.