Mapping currents at tidal turbine sites using VHF high resolution ocean radar

Heron, Malcolm L. (2013) Mapping currents at tidal turbine sites using VHF high resolution ocean radar. In: Proceedings of Oceans 2013 MTS/IEEE Bergen. From: Oceans 2013 MTS/IEEE Bergen, 10-13 June 2013, Bergen, Norway.

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Abstract

A pair of VHF high resolution radar stations is equivalent to deploying several hundred moorings for surface current measurements. Mapping of currents is a basic requirement in planning and operating a production area for tidal energy. This paper addresses the challenge to use surface current measurements to estimate currents lower in the water column where the turbines will be deployed. A logarithmic boundary layer model is used for the vertical profile of current in a turbulent flow, with validation from published measurements. Considerations of potential and turbulent kinetic energy for a stratified water column show that the modeled vertical velocity profile can be used within limits of flow velocity at the surface, and degree of bottom roughness. The bottom roughness required to fit the logarithmic boundary layer to observed velocity profiles in this energetic flow was about 10 times larger than would normally be expected in coastal oceans. The conclusion drawn is that VHF radar surface measurements are quite well conditioned for planning and monitoring tidal energy sites.

Item ID: 33339
Item Type: Conference Item (Research - E1)
ISBN: 978-1-4799-0000-8
Keywords: current monitoring; tidal energy; current profiles; VHF ocean radar
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Date Deposited: 26 May 2014 23:29
FoR Codes: 04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0405 Oceanography > 040503 Physical Oceanography @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9611 Physical and Chemical Conditions of Water > 961104 Physical and Chemical Conditions of Water in Marine Environments @ 50%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9611 Physical and Chemical Conditions of Water > 961102 Physical and Chemical Conditions of Water in Coastal and Estuarine Environments @ 50%
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