Idealized headland simulation for tidal hydrokinetic turbine siting metrics

Tidal hydrokinetic energy is a renewable energy source that is currently being researched at the University of Washington. Admiralty Inlet, an area of interest for pilot-and commercial-scale tidal hydrokinetic turbine placement, has a prominent headland that significantly affects the tidal flow and, therefore, potential turbine siting. A numerical model has been created using the Regional Ocean Modeling System to simulate an idealized, three-dimensional rectangular channel with a symmetric headland. Results from this simulation are examined using several metrics put forth by the European Marine Energy Council for characterizing potential tidal hydrokinetic energy sites. Areas of high mean kinetic density and various measures of asymmetry of tidal flow that may be relevant for turbine developers are highlighted.