Observation and regional model based Gulf Stream marine hydrokinetic energy resource estimates for North Carolina

The Gulf Stream near the coasts of North Carolina is considered a promising source of hydrokinetic energy. A statistical analysis is conducted to assess the energy available for extraction in this region. Weibull distribution is used as the Probability Density Function (PDF) for this purpose. The ocean current velocity data are collected from the ‘HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM)’. The data are collected at a depth of 20 m from the sea surface which is considered a good position for energy extraction. The Weibull parameters from the analysis are calculated using the maximum likelihood method. The direction of the ocean current was found to be mostly uniform in this region. The theoretical power density of this region was estimated to be more than 275 W/m2 around 70% of the time and exceeded 2000 W/m2 around 10% of the time.

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Marine Hydrokinetic Energy in the Gulf Stream Off North Carolina: An Assessment Using Observations and Ocean Circulation Models

Marine Renewable Energy ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-53536-4_10 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 237-258 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Caroline F. Lowcher ◽

Michael Muglia ◽

John M. Bane ◽

Ruoying He ◽

Yanlin Gong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

North Carolina ◽

Ocean Circulation ◽

Gulf Stream ◽

Hydrokinetic Energy ◽

Marine Hydrokinetic

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Fused Closed-Loop Flight Dynamics and Wake Interaction Modeling of Tethered Energy Systems

Volume 2: Control and Optimization of Connected and Automated Ground Vehicles; Dynamic Systems and Control Education; Dynamics and Control of Renewable Energy Systems; Energy Harvesting; Energy Systems; Estimation and Identification; Intelligent Transportation and Vehicles; Manufacturing; Mechatronics; Modeling and Control of IC Engines and Aftertreatment Systems; Modeling and Control of IC Engines and Powertrain Systems; Modeling and Management of Power Systems ◽

10.1115/dscc2018-9190 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joe Deese ◽

Peyman Razi ◽

Michael Muglia ◽

Praveen Ramaprabhu ◽

Chris Vermillion

Keyword(s):

Gulf Stream ◽

Energy Systems ◽

Flight Dynamics ◽

The United States ◽

Energy Output ◽

Eastern Coast ◽

Hydrokinetic Energy ◽

Wake Interaction ◽

Interaction Modeling ◽

Marine Hydrokinetic

In this paper, we present a fused flight dynamics and wake interaction modeling framework for arrays (farms) of tethered wind and marine hydrokinetic energy systems. The replacement of conventional towers with tethers necessitates a dynamic model that captures the flight characteristics of each system, whereas the arrangement of the systems in an array necessitates a wake interaction model. The integration of these components is unique to the tethered energy systems literature and is applicable to both airborne wind energy systems and tethered marine hydrokinetic energy systems. In the application case study of this paper, we focus specifically on arrays of ocean current turbines (OCTs), which are intended to operate in the deep waters of the Gulf Stream, adjacent to the eastern coast of the United States. In particular, we evaluate the dynamic performance and resulting projected energy output of an array of tethered OCTs, based on real Gulf Stream resource data from an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) located adjacent to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

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Gulf Stream Marine Hydrokinetic Energy Off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

Marine Technology Society Journal ◽

10.4031/mtsj.54.6.4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 54 (6) ◽

pp. 24-36

Author(s):

Michael Muglia ◽

Harvey Seim ◽

Patterson Taylor

Keyword(s):

Turbulent Mixing ◽

Gulf Stream ◽

Velocity Structure ◽

Vertical Shear ◽

Small Scale ◽

Western Boundary ◽

Horizontal Shear ◽

Hydrokinetic Energy ◽

Cape Hatteras ◽

Marine Hydrokinetic

AbstractMulti-year measurements of current velocity, salinity, and temperature from fixed and vessel-mounted sensors quantify Gulf Stream (GS) marine hydrokinetic energy (MHK) resource variability and inform development off Cape Hatteras, NC. Vessel transects across the GS demonstrate a jet-like velocity structure with speeds exceeding 2.5 m/s at the surface, persistent horizontal shear throughout the jet, and strongest vertical shears within the cyclonic shear zone. Persistent equatorward flow at the base of the GS associated with the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC) produces a local maximum in vertical shear where stratification is weak and is postulated to be a site of strong turbulent mixing. Repeated transects at the same location demonstrate that the velocity structure depends upon whether the GS abuts the shelf slope or is offshore.Currents from a fixed acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) deployed on the shoreward side of the GS exceed 1 m/s 64% of the time 40 m below the surface. The 3.75-year time series of currents from the ADCP mooring document large, roughly weekly variations in downstream and cross-stream speed (−0.5 to 2.5 m/s) and shear (± 0.05 s−1) over the entire water column due to passage of GS meanders and frontal eddies. Current reversals from the mean GS direction occur several times a month, and longer period variations in GS offshore position can result in reduced currents for weeks at a time. Unresolved small-scale shear is postulated to contribute significantly to turbulent mixing.

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