TY - JOUR TI - Numerical model evaluation of tidal stream energy resources in the Ría de Muros (NW Spain) AU - Carballo, R AU - Iglesias, G AU - Castro, A T2 - Renewable Energy AB - The Ría de Muros is a large coastal embayment on the north-western coast of Spain in which the peak tidal currents exceed 2 m/s. It is therefore a promising site for tidal stream power. The key point when assessing this resource is the accurate estimation of the tidal currents. In this work a finite difference numerical model is used for this purpose. The model solves the vertically integrated Navier–Stokes hydrodynamics and transport equations. It is validated with in situ velocity measurements performed by means of an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP). Thereafter the tidal flow velocities and the corresponding power densities are computed. The largest values are found in a section of the inner ria, in which two points are selected for a detailed assessment of the resource. The model is then run to compute the tidal stream and the corresponding power density at these points during a 14-day period, so as to cover the spring–neap cycle. The power density curve thus obtained is numerically integrated to compute the annual energy output that can be obtained by a tidal stream power plant at each location. DA - 2009/06// PY - 2009 PB - Elsevier VL - 34 IS - 6 SP - 1517 EP - 1524 UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148108004011 DO - 10.1016/j.renene.2008.10.028 LA - English KW - Current KW - Tidal KW - Field Data KW - Modeling KW - Site Characterization KW - Hydrodynamics ER -