Tidal energy resource complexity in a large strait: The Karori Rip, Cook Strait

Successful extraction of tidal stream energy will require a good understanding of flow at a range of scales, including those relating to average energy, variability in energy supply and fatigue. Current and turbulence measurements from the Karori Rip area of Cook Strait, the prime focal region of open-water tidal stream electricity generation in New Zealand, are described. A key issue is that a significant portion of the energy is contained in waters deeper than normally considered for energy extraction. Here we compare shallow and deep sites. Velocity data were derived from acoustic Doppler current profiler moorings, as well as spatial surveys and show flow magnitudes reaching 3.4 m s−1 in the shallow regions. The maximum speeds in both shallow and deep sites were typically located in the upper part of the measured water column although moored acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) observations showed some complexity in this regard. Benthic boundary-layers were resolved in the bottom ∼20 m of the water column. Measured turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rates ε exceeded 10−5 m2 s−3 and estimated maximum ε is a factor of 10 greater. This was not distributed evenly through the water column, with stratification and velocity shear clearly persisting, especially around the turn of the tide. The implications for tidal stream energy are that (i) there is sufficient energy resource in the region for a moderate sized array of turbines, (ii) the vertical variability in the flow speed suggests turbines that can operate near the surface would be more effective at accessing the resource, (iii) stratification may persist and influence the scales of turbulence and (iv) wave–current interaction effects will influence any near-surface structure as well as vessel operations.

► We measure currents and turbulence in strong tidal flow at shallow and deep sites in a large strait.
► Maximum current of 3.4 m s−1 was observed in the shallow regions of the Strait.
► Clear boundary-layer structure and the influence of topography were apparent at both sites.
► The dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy exceeded 10−5 m2 s−3 at the deep water site.