A Resource Assessment of Global Ocean Currents Investigating Their Renewable Energy Potential
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Ferris, Jacob Palombo
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Abstract
This study characterizes the energy potential for 12 locations within six major ocean currents: the Gulf Stream Current, the Kuroshio Current, the Agulhas Current, the North Brazil Current, the East African Coastal Current, and the Mindanao Current. Using 32 years of CMEMS reanalysis data, validated against HYCOM data, this study quantifies the kinetic energy flux across defined transects and turbine energy production, both annual and monthly, at high-velocity regions of these current systems. The results indicate that the Agulhas Current exhibits the highest mean theoretical energy potential, as well as low interannual and intra-annual variability. The Gulf Stream demonstrates significant and consistent energy potential as well, with both Cape Hatteras and Florida Straits offering moderate to high energy production with low variability. The Kuroshio Current along the coast of Japan presents high energy capacity but demonstrates significant interannual variability due to large current meanders. However, the Kuroshio Current along the coast of Taiwan appears to offer a more stable energy production output. The North Brazil Current yields mixed results depending on the section of the current, varying between little energy production potential to moderate, albeit temporally variable, energy production. The East African Coastal Current displays large intra-annual variability, but large energy potential during the late spring through fall. The Mindanao Current produces some of the highest individual turbine outputs with relatively low interannual and intra-annual variability, indicating its substantial theoretical power potential. Ultimately, this research highlights the significant promise of ocean current energy and provides a comparative framework for identifying possible turbine array locations.
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Date
2026-05
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Text
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Thesis (Masters Degree)