Estimation of tidal current energy along the Gulf of Khambhat using three-dimensional numerical modeling

Abstract

A finite difference–based three-dimensional modeling has been conducted to evaluate tidal power density at different locations along the Gulf of Khambhat, India. The model uses the Navier–Stokes transport equation in three-dimensional plane under the assumption of shallow water and Boussinesq. The model results were validated with observed water levels and currents available in the literature. The Gulf has strong and varying currents and associated circulation patterns, especially in the northern region, due to complex bathymetry. The current velocities and corresponding power densities were computed for different vertical layers of the entire model domain. The maximum tidal current velocities are found in the northern region along the narrowing part of the Gulf. The estimated values are 2.6 and 1.5 m/s during spring and neap tidal cycles, respectively. Then, the energy flux approximation method has been used to estimate the tidal power densities along the gulf spatially and temporally. The estimated maximum available potential is about 3 and 0.7 kW/m2 during spring and neap at two arbitrary point locations, respectively.