Energy yield assessment from ocean currents in the insular shelf of Cozumel Island

Marine renewables represent a promising and innovative alternative source for satisfying the energy demands of growing populations while reducing the consumption of fossil fuels. Most technological advancements and energy yield assessments have focused on promoting the use of kinetic energy from tidal streams with flow velocities higher than 2.0 m s−1 . However, slower-moving flows from ocean currents are recently explored due to their nearly continuous and unidirectional seasonal flows. In this study, the potential of the Yucatan Current was analysed at nearshore sites over the insular shelf of Cozumel Island in the Mexican Caribbean. Field measurements were undertaken using a vessel-mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) to analyse the spatial distribution of flow velocities, along with Conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) profiles as well as data gathering of bathymetry and water elevations. Northward directed flow velocities were identified, with increasing velocities just before the end of the strait of the Cozumel Channel, where average velocities in the region of 0.88-1.04 m s−1 were recorded. An estimation of power delivery using horizontal axis turbines was undertaken with Blade Element Momentum theory. It was estimated that nearly 3.2 MW could be supplied to Cozumel Island, amounting to about 10% of its electricity consumption.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Alcérreca Huerta, Juan Carlos Doctor autor 20527, Encarnacion, Job Immanuel autor, Ordoñez Sánchez, Stephanie autor/a, Callejas Jiménez, Mariana Elvira Doctora autora 21651, Gallegos Diez Barroso, Gabriel autor, Allmark, Matthew autor/a, Mariño Tapia, Ismael autor, Silva Casarín, Rodolfo autor, O'Doherty, Tim autor/a, Johnstone, Cameron autor/a, Carrillo Bibriezca, Laura Elena Doctora autora 2054
Format:	Texto biblioteca
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Energía del mar, Corrientes oceánicas, Turbinas, Fuentes de energía renovable, Energía cinética, Artfrosur,
Online Access:	https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/7/5/147
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