Assessment of tidal current potential in the Pará River Estuary (Amazon Region – Brazil)

Abstract

World energy consumption will grow by almost 50 % between 2018 and 2050, resulting in a 79 % increase in electricity generation over this period. In general, renewable energy has been an important source of electricity generation for several years due to its ability to produce unlimited energy. Among the renewable energies are the oceanic ones, which depend on the resources of the tidal waters and the oceans. Tides are a promising energy source, given their periodicity and predictability, using techniques of harmonic analysis or ocean modeling. The Amazon is a region with multiple sparsely distributed populations, with difficult access to energy. Renewable sources are an alternative to bring energy and development to these communities. This paper focuses on the assessment of the power of tidal currents in the Pará River Estuary (PRE, Brazilian Amazon) as an alternative source of electricity generation in the region. This estuary is characterized by particularities such as not having its own source, it has an extension of 300 km and a depth between 0 and 70 m. The methodology was based on the two-dimensional hydrodynamic model (2DH) of SisBahia. The results show the occurrence of five areas with potential for tidal energy exploitation. Power densities for these areas are in the range of 0.4–0.7 MWh/m2 in a spring and neap tidal cycle. This article demonstrates the relevance of choosing parameterized quantities that do not depend on specific equipment, as well as the importance of an adequate characterization of the hydrodynamic patterns in the PRE, necessary to optimize the use of hydrokinetic energy.