Characterising the tidal stream power resource around France using a high-resolution harmonic database

Nicolas Guillou, Simon P. Neill and Peter E. Robins

Renewable Energy, 2018, vol. 123, issue C, 706-718

Abstract: Although tidal stream energy is highly predictable, the distribution of the resource varies over small spatial scales and over tidal-to-decadal time scales, requiring detailed models and accurate analysis techniques. The present study investigates the spatial and temporal variability of the tidal stream energy resource around France, using a tidal current harmonic database. The 250 m resolution tidal database covers western Brittany and the western English Channel, two regions that have strong potential for tidal array development. As well as generating a refined resource assessment for the region, a series of metrics are considered to assess resource variability, both spatially and temporally. Particular attention is dedicated to variability over spring-neap time scales (resulting from M2 and S2 compound tides) and current asymmetry (governed by M2 and M4 velocities). A clear contrast in the nature of the resource is found between sites located off the Cotentin Peninsula, which exhibit low spring-neap variability and tidal asymmetry, leading to a more continuous and therefore attractive energy conversion, and sites in western Brittany, with greater variabilities over semi-diurnal and fortnightly time scales.

Keywords: Spring-neap tidal variability; Tidal current asymmetry; Horizontal-axis turbines; Fromveur Strait; Paimpol-Bréhat; Alderney Race (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:123:y:2018:i:c:p:706-718

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2017.12.033

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