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Tidal energy resource characterization measurements at cook inlet’s east foreland: Velocity and turbulence

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  • McVey, James R.
  • Kilcher, Levi
  • Yang, Zhaoqing

Abstract

To characterize tidal current and turbulence at a top tidal energy site off the East Foreland in Cook Inlet, Alaska, United States, three moorings were deployed for two months between July and August 2021, and a transect survey was conducted over the course of two tidal cycles at the end of the deployment period. Measurements of velocity and turbulence were then analyzed to better understand the site’s hydrodynamics and power potential. Analysis reveals that swift, north-flowing flood currents peak at 4 m/s, while south-flowing ebb currents reach just over 3 m/s. Turbulence intensity ranges from 23% at the seafloor to 8% near the surface, and the presence of the foreland creates more intense turbulence near-shore during ebb tide than flood. Power availability at the site could be as high as 720 MW, or 13 kW/m2, though the energy available to a marine energy device will be smaller than this estimate because of water-to-wire efficiency and wake losses. The results from this measurement campaign will inform the validation of a high-resolution tidal hydrodynamic model, as well as early tidal energy projects that are beginning to move beyond the prototyping and demonstration stages to full-scale deployments.

Suggested Citation

  • McVey, James R. & Kilcher, Levi & Yang, Zhaoqing, 2026. "Tidal energy resource characterization measurements at cook inlet’s east foreland: Velocity and turbulence," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PC).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pc:s0960148125016544
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.123990
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