Energy of marine currents in the Strait of Gibraltar and its potential as a renewable energy resource

Abstract

A non-hydrostatic hydrodynamic model of the Strait of Gibraltar with high spatial and temporal resolution has been used to assess suitable areas for energy extraction from marine currents. The model shows great spatial variability of the available energy flux, ranging from 200 W m−2 to more than 1800 W m−2. In addition to the mean energy flux, other properties and characteristics of the flow such as permanence and direction of the currents, vertical shear or occurrence of unwanted high frequency internal waves have been merged into an index that is used in this work as a proxy for the suitability of a given place to install a power plant. This index highlights two zones gathering the required conditions: the subsurface layer of the eastern half of the strait and the near-bottom layer of Espartel sill at the westernmost gateway of the strait.