Deployment of a floating tidal energy plant in the Marsdiep inlet: resource assessment, environmental characterization and power output

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In this work, BlueTEC, a tidal energy floating platform deployed in the Marsdiep inlet, is introduced. The patterns of circulation of the Marsdiep inlet and an energy resource assessment followed by the respective site selection for the platform’s deployment are reported. This manuscript analyses different datasets sampled during the project, including current speeds, wave parameters, turbine power output, platform excursions, and other environmental parameters such as temperature and salinity. Most of the datasets were measured by instruments installed on the platform, with the exception of the wave data, which was sampled by a nearby oceanographic mooring, and except the environmental parameters, which were estimated via satellite and numerical modelling. The effect of the turbine on the water velocity and preliminary results on the power output are discussed. Finally, discussions on the marine growth, potential environmental impacts and future perspectives are also addressed.