In-Stream Energy by Tidal and Wind-Driven Currents: An Analysis for the Gulf of California

Vanesa Magar, Victor M. Godínez, Markus S. Gross, Manuel López-Mariscal, Anahí Bermúdez-Romero, Julio Candela and Luis Zamudio
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Vanesa Magar: Physical Oceanography Department, CICESE, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana No. 3918, Zona Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California C.P. 22860, Mexico
Victor M. Godínez: Physical Oceanography Department, CICESE, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana No. 3918, Zona Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California C.P. 22860, Mexico
Markus S. Gross: Physical Oceanography Department, CICESE, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana No. 3918, Zona Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California C.P. 22860, Mexico
Manuel López-Mariscal: Physical Oceanography Department, CICESE, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana No. 3918, Zona Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California C.P. 22860, Mexico
Anahí Bermúdez-Romero: Physical Oceanography Department, CICESE, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana No. 3918, Zona Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California C.P. 22860, Mexico
Julio Candela: Physical Oceanography Department, CICESE, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana No. 3918, Zona Playitas, Ensenada, Baja California C.P. 22860, Mexico
Luis Zamudio: Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2840, USA

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: We analyzed the peak spring tidal current speeds, annual mean tidal power densities ( T P D ) and annual energy production ( A E P ) obtained from experiment 06.1, referred as the “HYCOM model” throughout, of the three dimensional (3D), global model HYCOM in an area covering the Baja California Pacific and the Gulf of California. The HYCOM model is forced with astronomical tides and surface winds alone, and therefore is particularly suitable to assess the tidal current and wind-driven current contribution to in-stream energy resources. We find two areas within the Gulf of California, one in the Great Island Region and one in the Upper Gulf of California, where peak spring tidal flows reach speeds of 1.1 m per second. Second to fifth-generation tidal stream devices would be suitable for deployment in these two areas, which are very similar in terms of tidal in-stream energy resources. However, they are also very different in terms of sediment type and range in water depth, posing different challenges for in-stream technologies. The highest mean T P D value when excluding TPDs equal or less than 50 W m −2 (corresponding to the minimum velocity threshold for energy production) is of 172.8 W m −2 , and is found near the town of San Felipe, at (lat lon) = (31.006–114.64); here energy would be produced during 39.00% of the time. Finally, wind-driven currents contribute very little to the mean T P D and the total A E P . Therefore, the device, the grid, and any energy storage plans need to take into account the periodic tidal current fluctuations, for optimal exploitation of the resources.

Keywords: tidal power density; in-stream renewable energy; peak spring tide flow; annual energy production; gulf of California (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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