Assessment of tidal current resources in Clarence Strait, Australia including turbine extraction effects

The Clarence Strait, Northern Territory, Australia has been identified as a promising region for tidal energy, however little detail is known of the resource potential of the Strait. To assess the site feasibility, high-resolution two-dimensional (2D) unstructured mesh models were developed using the COMPAS hydrodynamic model, which were calibrated and successfully validated against results from five Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler field datasets. Results indicate that considerable tidal resources exist with maximum tidal currents of approximately 2.5 m/s found at water depths suitable for both small and large-scale Tidal Energy Convertors (TEC) array installations. Two arrays of 10 m and 20 m diameter TEC's were then simulated using the developed models using two methods to determine farm power output; the first derived directly from the current model velocity predictions from the developed resource assessment model, the second by directly simulating the TEC energy extraction using a 2D bottom friction model that was added to the hydrodynamic model. Results indicate an Annual Energy Production of up to 108 GWh using both models. Minimal change in near and far-field mean current flow of less than 0.03 m/s and little change in surface elevations were found, making the region suitable for tidal energy farm development.