Assessment of the tidal stream power potential and impacts of tidal current turbines in the Strait of Larantuka, Indonesia

In this paper, results of a tidal stream resource assessment performed for the Strait of Larantuka, Indonesia are presented. The methodology followed is comprising of the estimates of power yield and evaluation of the effects of power extraction via high-resolution, three-dimensional flow models. Power densities exceeding 10kW/m2 are observed in the main channel. Current velocities, and wake characteristics of the turbines have been resolved reasonably well with low computational cost, considering different levels of energy dissipation. Although the results are promising, investigations using in-situ measurements alongside more advanced modelling techniques are still needed, and currently underway.