Regional-scale numerical hydrodynamic modelling is increasing in importance for
estimating the tidal stream energy resource that is available in any given location,
and for predicting the environmental effects of exploiting that resource. However,
the state-of-the-art models that are commonly used in academia are not always
trusted by investors or regulators, and are hence of limited value to commercial site
developers.
In this work two commercially-available modelling suites that are widely used in
industry — MIKE and Delft3D — are used to simulate the effects of tidal farms
in the Pentland Firth, Scotland. The optimum methodology with each software
package is explored, and their predictions compared. It is concluded that they are
suitable for the broad-scale predictions for which they are intended, but should not
be relied upon alone for fine detail.
A flaw is identified in the approach to tidal turbine representation at very high
resolutions, relating to the estimation of upstream velocity, which leads to inaccuracy
of up to 15%. A correction is implemented and tested.
A similar approach in a third model code, FVCOM, is used to estimate the power
available from the Goto Islands, Japan, and to study the interactions of parallel
channels when energy is extracted. It is found that the multiple channels in Goto do
not behave in the same way as the multiple channels of the Pentland Firth, and a
possible explanation for this is discussed.
Finally, the techniques developed in earlier chapters are combined in the development
of a new MIKE 3 model of Lashy Sound, Orkney, and the use of this to estimate the
maximum theoretical power yield from this channel
