Tidal Current Energy Assessment and Exploitation Recommendations for Semi-Enclosed Bay Straits: A Case Study on the Bohai Strait, China

Yuze Song (), Pengcheng Ma, Zikang Li, Yilin Zhai, Dan Li, Hongyuan Shi and Chao Li
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Yuze Song: National Ocean Technology Center, Tianjin 300112, China
Pengcheng Ma: School of Hydraulic and Civil Engineering, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China
Zikang Li: School of Hydraulic and Civil Engineering, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China
Yilin Zhai: School of Hydraulic and Civil Engineering, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China
Dan Li: National Ocean Technology Center, Tianjin 300112, China
Hongyuan Shi: School of Hydraulic and Civil Engineering, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China
Chao Li: National Ocean Technology Center, Tianjin 300112, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-19

Abstract: Against the backdrop of increasingly depleted global non-renewable resources, research on renewable energy has become urgently critical. As a significant marine clean energy source, tidal current energy has attracted growing scholarly interest, effectively addressing global energy shortages and fossil fuel pollution. Semi-enclosed bay straits, with their geographically advantageous topography, offer substantial potential for tidal energy exploitation. China’s Bohai Strait exemplifies such a geomorphological feature. This study focuses on the Bohai Strait, employing the Delft3D model to establish a three-dimensional numerical simulation of tidal currents in the region. Combined with the Flux tidal energy assessment method, the tidal energy resources are evaluated, and exploitation recommendations are proposed. The results demonstrate that the Laotieshan Channel, particularly its northern section, contains the most abundant tidal energy reserves in the Bohai Strait. The Laotieshan Channel has an average power flux density of 50.83 W/m 2 , with a tidal energy potential of approximately 81,266.5 kW, of which about 12,189.97 kW is technically exploitable. Particularly in its northern section, favorable flow conditions exist—peak current speeds can reach 2 m/s, and the area offers substantial effective power generation hours. Annual durations with flow velocities exceeding 0.5 m/s total around 4500 h, making this zone highly suitable for deploying tidal turbines. To maximize the utilization of tidal energy resources, installation within the upper 20 m of the water layer is recommended. This study not only advances tidal energy research in semi-enclosed bay straits but also provides a critical reference for future studies, while establishing a foundational framework for practical tidal energy development in the Bohai Strait region.

Keywords: semi-enclosed bay straits; tidal current energy; exploitation recommendations; numerical simulation; vertical flow velocity distribution (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: 2025
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