On the Marine Energy Resources of Mexico

Abstract

The Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Mexico offer a variety of marine energy sources for exploitation. Although the Mexican government has made important efforts to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, national participation in clean energies is still limited in terms of electricity production. This paper presents a practical theoretical assessment of marine energy sources around Mexico, with the aim of identifying potential zones for subsequent, more detailed, technical evaluations and project implementations. The energy sources considered are ocean currents, waves, salinity, and thermal gradients. Using global databases, the percentages of energy availability for the defined thresholds were computed to establish the prospective regions with the most persistent power availability. This approach proved to offer more meaningful information than simple averaged values. Moreover, some environmental and socio-economic factors to be considered for future ocean energy resource assessments in Mexico were also discussed. The results show that the wave energy potential is highest in the northwest of Mexico (~2–10 kW/m for more than 50% of the time), and that there is a constant source of ocean current energy off Quintana Roo state (~32–215 W/m2 for more than 50% of the time). The thermal gradient power is more persistent in the southwest and southeast of the country, where ~100–200 MW can be found 70% of the time. The salinity gradient energy is strongest in the southeast of Mexico. The practical approach presented here can be extended to perform preliminary resources assessments in regions where information is scarce.

Wave Energy in Tropical Regions: Deployment Challenges, Environmental and Social Perspectives

“…SEA [19] reported that converting energy from waves is feasible along the coast of Southern Africa [20].In the tropical regions of America, Osorio et al[21] estimated the available ocean energy resources from waves, tides, currents, salinity gradients, and thermal gradients in Colombia. Recently, Hernández-Fontes et al [22] performed a theoretical evaluation of ocean energy resources in Mexico, considering the power availability from ocean currents, waves, thermal, and salinity gradients, defining potential locations for the deployment of devices.In tropical regions, ocean energy resources are available, but many environmental and social constraints have limited the development of local technologies. Tropical climates produce a great diversity of terrestrial and marine life, with most of the world's biodiversity being concentrated here [23], it is therefore imperative to regulate the use of natural resources in these regions.…”

“…[21] estimated the available ocean energy resources from waves, tides, currents, salinity gradients, and thermal gradients in Colombia. Recently, Hernández-Fontes et al [22] performed a theoretical evaluation of ocean energy resources in Mexico, considering the power availability from ocean currents, waves, thermal, and salinity gradients, defining potential locations for the deployment of devices.…”

Criteria for Optimal Site Selection for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Plants in Mexico

“…According to previous studies by García-Huante et al [13] and Hernández-Fontes et al [12], there are some promising areas in the study area which have optimal characteristics for OTEC deployment, based on their thermal potential, temperature differences, and distance to the cold-water intake. In this study, the feasibility of four sites in the study area for the deployment and a successful life cycle of an OTEC plant were analyzed to choose the optimal sites by MCDA.…”

A Design Procedure for Anchors of Floating Ocean Current Turbines on Weak Rock

“…In Mexico, the most suitable site for the installation of an electric power generation plant based on ocean current turbines is off Cozumel Island in the Mexican Caribbean [9]. The current there is part of the ocean and wind-driven circulation system and so is Although initially the factor deciding the foundation type is the water depth, the soil properties are the most important element to consider [4].…”