Article: Quantification of the tidal stream exergy in the ría de Vigo (NW Spain) Journal: International Journal of Exergy (IJEX) 2017 Vol.23 No.1 pp.47 - 62 Abstract: The exergy of the tidal currents in the ría de Vigo area (NW Spain) is quantified using the results of a 28-day long simulation of the tidal flows. The results show that the northernmost strait connecting the ría with the Atlantic Ocean is a promising site for tidal energy tapping, in contrast with the energetically weaker estuary. On the basis of the average power density (APD), a 7.5 km2 region is identified in this strait as the most advantageous area to install tidal energy converters (TECs), with a total annual exergy of around 3865 MWh/m2. Similar analyses using only 14-day simulations change this value in ±16%, depending on whether the tidal cycle considered is apogean or perigean. The study contributes to enlarge the inventory of sites along the NW Spanish coast at which tidal stream energy can be potentially extracted. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Quantification of the tidal stream exergy in the ría de Vigo (NW Spain)

Authors: Marc Mestres; Maria Griñó; Joan Pau Sierra; César Mösso

Addresses: International Centre for Coastal Resources Research (CIIRC), c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Mòdul D1, Barcelona, 08034, Spain; Laboratori d'Enginyeria Marítima (LIM-UPC), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Mòdul D1, Barcelona, 08034, Spain ' Laboratori d'Enginyeria Marítima (LIM-UPC), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Mòdul D1, 08034 Barcelona, Spain ' International Centre for Coastal Resources Research (CIIRC), c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Mòdul D1, Barcelona, 08034, Spain; Laboratori d'Enginyeria Marítima (LIM-UPC), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Mòdul D1, Barcelona, 08034, Spain ' International Centre for Coastal Resources Research (CIIRC), c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Mòdul D1, Barcelona, 08034, Spain; Laboratori d'Enginyeria Marítima (LIM-UPC), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Mòdul D1, Barcelona, 08034, Spain

Abstract: The exergy of the tidal currents in the ría de Vigo area (NW Spain) is quantified using the results of a 28-day long simulation of the tidal flows. The results show that the northernmost strait connecting the ría with the Atlantic Ocean is a promising site for tidal energy tapping, in contrast with the energetically weaker estuary. On the basis of the average power density (APD), a 7.5 km² region is identified in this strait as the most advantageous area to install tidal energy converters (TECs), with a total annual exergy of around 3865 MWh/m². Similar analyses using only 14-day simulations change this value in ±16%, depending on whether the tidal cycle considered is apogean or perigean. The study contributes to enlarge the inventory of sites along the NW Spanish coast at which tidal stream energy can be potentially extracted.

Keywords: ría de Vigo; tidal current exergy; mesotidal estuary; numerical modelling; ROMS_AGRIF.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2017.084523

International Journal of Exergy, 2017 Vol.23 No.1, pp.47 - 62

Received: 01 Oct 2016
Accepted: 13 Feb 2017
Published online: 12 Jun 2017 *

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Title: Quantification of the tidal stream exergy in the ría de Vigo (NW Spain)

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