Characterization of the tidal resource in Rathlin Sound
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Pérez-Ortiz, A
Borthwick, AGL
McNaughton, J
Avdis, A
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Tidal resource assessment is presented for Rathlin Sound, located between Rathlin Island and the north-east coast of Northern Ireland. The flow is simulated in 2D, using the shallow water equations. For an M2 tide, the natural flow conditions exhibit local spatial mean and maximum flow speeds of 2 and 3 m/s. Upper limits to power extraction are about 298 MW for M2 and 330 MW for M2+S2 tidal signals (different to undisturbed kinetic power and power naturally dissipated at the seabed). An analytical model of a channel connecting two infinite ocean basins underpredicts maximum power extracted in Rathlin Sound due to changes in head driving the flow and the existence of an alternative flow path. At maximum power extracted, there is substantial reduction in mean flow speeds in the strait and to the south-east of Rathlin Sound. In the strait, maximum power is reduced by 14% and 36% for blockage ratios of 80% and 60%. Power extraction both offshore of the island and in the strait yields higher power generation rates than isolated extraction. Resource assessments for Rathlin Sound are generally in good agreement with those for an idealised strait between an island and landmass.
Date Issued
2017-04-18
Date Acceptance
2017-04-11
Citation
Renewable Energy, 2017, 114 (Part A), pp.229-243
ISSN
0960-1481
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
229
End Page
243
Journal / Book Title
Renewable Energy
Volume
114
Issue
Part A
Copyright Statement
© 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license
(
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
).
(
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
).
License URL
Subjects
0906 Electrical And Electronic Engineering
0913 Mechanical Engineering
Energy
Publication Status
Published