Energy of marine currents in the Strait of Gibraltar and its potential as a renewable energy resource

A non-hydrostatic hydrodynamic model of the Strait of Gibraltar with high spatial and temporal resolution has been used to assess suitable areas for energy extraction from marine currents. The model shows great spatial variability of the available energy flux, ranging from 200Wm−2 to more than 1800W...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Renewable & sustainable energy reviews 2014-06, Vol.34, p.98-109
Main Authors: Calero Quesada, María Concepción, García Lafuente, Jesús, Sánchez Garrido, José Carlos, Sammartino, Simone, Delgado, Javier
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Economic data
Electric energy
Energy
Energy economics
Energy fluxes
Energy of waters: ocean thermal energy, wave and tidal energy, etc
Exact sciences and technology
General, economic and professional studies
Natural energy
Strait of Gibraltar
Tidal energy
Unidirectional currents
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Summary:A non-hydrostatic hydrodynamic model of the Strait of Gibraltar with high spatial and temporal resolution has been used to assess suitable areas for energy extraction from marine currents. The model shows great spatial variability of the available energy flux, ranging from 200Wm−2 to more than 1800Wm−2. In addition to the mean energy flux, other properties and characteristics of the flow such as permanence and direction of the currents, vertical shear or occurrence of unwanted high frequency internal waves have been merged into an index that is used in this work as a proxy for the suitability of a given place to install a power plant. This index highlights two zones gathering the required conditions: the subsurface layer of the eastern half of the strait and the near-bottom layer of Espartel sill at the westernmost gateway of the strait.
ISSN:1364-0321
1879-0690
DOI:10.1016/j.rser.2014.02.038