Evaluation of potential marine current turbine sites in North American waters

Sammanfattning: Suitable locations for marine current power generation were scouted. The specific turbines considered in this project are vertical axis turbines and require an water velocity of 0.8 m/s to start and has a system efficiency of 20%. In the beginning of the project focus was directed towards areas along Florida's coastal line with high water velocities tapping into the Gulf Stream. Data found the velocities did not meet the water speed requirements. Following this observation, it was decided to discontinue further research in the Florida region and divert the attention towards waters in Alaska. There current velocities were found to be significantly higher. Because velocities vary over time marine current power is not relevant in Alaska, but rather the closely related technology tidal power. Two areas in Alaska distinguished themselves, Cook Inlet and Aleutian Islands.Potential power and annual energy extraction were estimated for turbine stations at each site. A battery energy storage system was implemented to counteract varying water velocities. The most promising site could steadily deliver 269 kW and an annual energy production of 2.44 GWh per turbine.