Preliminary determination of the energy potential of ocean currents along the southern coast of Brazil

Abstract

The ocean can be a strategic alternative for obtaining energy supplies, both from ocean waves as from sea currents and tides. Among these features, the power generation projects based on ocean currents are still under development. Generating energy from ocean can have great impact on the Brazilian energy grid, since Brazil has a vast coastline, with more than 9,000 km long, with potential for generating energy from ocean currents not fully estimated. This article presents a preliminary determination of the energy potential for power generation from ocean currents along the coast of Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state of Brazil, and also presents notes that contribute to the characterization of the system of ocean currents in the region. The data used were obtained in two areas near Tramandaí, allowing the determination of velocities and directions of the currents on a seasonal basis. The maximum speeds obtained rarely exceed 0.750 m/s, while the average speeds do not exceed 0.200 m/s. A relationship with the prevailing winds in the region was identified. Unfortunately, the results do not allow optimism about the power generation from ocean currents on the southern coast of Brazil, at least over the continental shelf.

Simulating Ocean and Tidal Current Power Plants with Homer

“…shows current speed data obtained in Tramandai 2 , in southern Brazil, during 1996. [15] This figure, like the previous ones, presents two graphs. The first chart shows maximum, medium and minimum values on the current speed over the months of the year.…”

“…The search space for this case was composed of the following values: 0.0 kW, 0.2 kW, 0.4 kW, 0.8 kW, 1.2 kW, 1.6 kW and 2.0 kW for PV array capacity; 0 kW and 5 kW for diesel generator capacity; 0, 2, 4 and 8 for the quantity of batteries; 0.00 kW, 0.25 kW, 0.50 kW, 1.00 kW and 2.00 kW for converter capacity. The sensitivity inputs was composed of the following values: 10 kWh/d, 15 This system is equal to that of Figure 5, excluding wind turbines so that their results are compared with the inclusion of current power plants described according to the two models discussed. The PV costs multipliers were considered for other studies.…”

Feasibility Limits for a Hybrid System with Ocean Wave and Ocean Current Power Plants in Southern Coast of Brazil

“…In this region, the continental shelf has a width of up to 200 km and average depths of 20 to 30 meters. The work of Fischer et al [18] [19] presents an initial characterization of ocean currents in the region, based on a relatively limited set of measurements (which points to the need for new exploration campaigns to be undertaken on the southern coast of Brazil). Unfortunately, the energy potential found so far is insufficient for power generation from ocean currents.…”

“…Figure 3 shows an hourly series of ocean current velocity data obtained for the region of Tramandaí, on the coast of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state in Brazil, obtained as described by Ref. [18]. This data series is adapted to be inserted in Homer so that the model of wind turbines can be used for the simulation of equipment for energy conversion from ocean currents.…”