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So What? Tidal Stream Resource Potential

Wind and waves are not the only alternative energy sources the ocean possesses. Tidal streams are high
velocity sea currents created by periodic movement of the ocean caused by the gravitational pull of the
moon. High and low tides exist even far up tidal creeks, just like in the ocean. Tidal stream energy is
created from the kinetic energy of the moving flow of water. This energy is one of the alternative energy
sources that is renewable and clean. Because of their persistent and predictable nature, tidal streams
have become one of the more promising energy sources.

So why should an ocean energy planner pay attention to the tidal stream resource-potential data sets?

1. Tidal energy is a viable option. As stated above, tidal stream energy is renewable, clean,
continuous, and predictable, making for the ideal energy situation. Tidal energy is one of the
fastest-growing technologies in the renewable energy sector. Up until now, there has been no
national database of tidal resource potential, a key piece of information needed to plan for tidal
energy. With the creation of this data set, planners can begin delving into the full potential of
tidal energy. Current tidal energy sites in the U.S. include Cook Inlet (Alaska), East River (New
York) and Eastport (Maine).
2. Tidal siting involves many factors. Tidal stream energy is dependent on factors such as current
velocity and flow rate—the direction, speed, and volume of water. Other factors, such as
bathymetry, geology of the seabed, and environmental impacts, will determine the deployment
method needed and the cost of installation. Planners need to pay attention to all these factors
when deciding on a tidal energy facility site, and this data set puts that information together in
an easy-to-use format. Most tidal stream power converters require a minimum flow speed of
0.5 to 1.0 meters per second with an ideal speed between 1.5 and 3.5 meters per second. The
factors taken into consideration include the water depth at low tide, minimizing erosion,
clearance for sea traffic, and the optimal turbine hub height to maximize the efficiency of
capturing tidal currents.
3. Tidal stream mean power density depends on the mean current. Within the
MarineCadastre.gov National Viewer and Data Registry, there are two data sets concerning tidal
stream resource potential: mean current and mean power density. The mean current data set
represents the average speed for the year of the depth-averaged current at that location. To
create the mean current data set, experts used a numerical model to simulate the tidal flows
along the coast of the United States. After validating this model, experts converted the mean
current data into mean power density. The mean power density data set depicts the amount of
tidal stream power per cross-section perpendicular to the flow direction at that point.
Depending on site conditions and environmental constraints, the power harvested could be

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management │ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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more or less. This study is based only on the existing tidal currents under undisturbed flow
conditions.

Quick Caveats. It should be noted that tidal currents and associated power per unit area can have
significant spatial variability. Therefore, currents at one location are generally a poor indicator of
conditions at another location, even nearby. As with any resource potential data set, the actual power
density harvested at any location will depend on the technology. Planners should keep in mind that
these are modeled outputs and therefore should be confirmed before finalizing site location. For more
information, please consult the report.

Data-Source Experts

Dr. Kevin Haas, Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Dr. Zafer Defne, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program

For questions, please contact nos.csc.mmc@noaa.gov.

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management │ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration