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

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.

Annual and seasonal variabilities in the performances of wave energy converters

“…2-a) [29,30], and (ii) tidal currents of more than 3.5 m s −1 in mean spring conditions ( Fig. 2-b) [34,35,36]. This area experiences thus strong interactions between waves and tidal currents [37,38].…”

Improvements for the Eastern North Pacific ADCIRC Tidal Database (ENPAC15)

“…Therefore, it is necessary to create regional tidal databases with higher resolution that can better represent the near-shore environment. Often, these highresolution products are created for specific marine environments, for example: east Florida [23], Western North Atlantic Ocean [24][25][26], Eastern North Pacific Ocean [27] and Western Europe [28].…”

Effects of the Current Direction on the Energy Production of a Tidal Farm: The Case of Raz Blanchard (France)

“…However, previous studies were essentially performed with regional models where the turbines' thrust was spatially averaged over the area occupied by the tidal farm. This (spatially averaged) turbine representation implies that the interactions between the turbines' wakes are negated [5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Such regional approach has been used at sites located in West Brittany such as the Sein Race [7] and the Fromveur strait [8], at Scottish sites such as the Orkney archipelago [9], at the Ramsey Sound strait [10], and at the Normand site of the Raz Blanchard [1].Recent works [11][12][13][14] deal with the implementation of methods developed (based on numerical results or experimental mapping) to optimize the identification of suitable sites for energy extraction.…”

“…Both papers confirm that Raz Blanchard has the stronger potential for the exploitation of the tidal kinetic energy resources of the region. In such sites, a marked tidal current asymmetry and misalignment was observed [7,8,11,15]. At the turbine scale, several studies were carried out to investigate the effect of the angle of attack on the turbine's performance [10,[16][17][18].…”

“…Recent works [11][12][13][14] deal with the implementation of methods developed (based on numerical results or experimental mapping) to optimize the identification of suitable sites for energy extraction. To simulate a realistic momentum extraction by turbine arrays, Coles et al (2017) [12] introduced a drag over the energy extraction zones of a site.…”