Modelling the impacts of a large marine turbine array in the Cozumel Channel

Abstract

Ocean renewable energies are a promising alternative to meet the growing energy demand. Due to the intense, persistent and relatively constant unidirectional flow, the Cozumel Channel (CC) in the Caribbean Sea is considered one of the most favorable global sites for the potential exploitation of ocean current energy. In this paper we use the Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) to simulate the effects of a large number of individual turbines (5277) on the marine environment at a regional scale. A couple of two-way nested grids were used to extend the horizontal resolution from 30 m to ∼3600 m. The impacts of the turbines on circulation, water temperature, sea surface high (SSH), sediment transport and upwelling events, were analyzed. An improved estimate of the average power generated was also performed, which includes the disruption of the currents by the turbines. The results suggest that the installation of a large number of marine turbines would cause severe flow disturbances in the CC and neighboring regions, changing several aspects of the ecosystem. While the number and characteristics of the marine turbines might seem excessive, this study could serve as a benchmark to determine thresholds in the size of future turbine farms in the region.