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Journal articles
One year of measurements in Alderney Race: preliminary results from database analysis
Abstract : The Alderney Race is assumed to have the largest tidal-stream energy potential in the North-Western
European coastal seas. Interaction of the powerful tidal stream with strong wind, high waves, and irregular
bathymetry creates hydrodynamic conditions of extreme complexity, with high level of turbulence. A
comprehensive dataset has been created to improve the understanding of physical processes, turbulence,
tidal stream and resource variability at the site. The database contains a large amount of oceanographic and
meteorological measurements acquired in Alderney Race in 2017-2018. This exceptionally long period of
observations (nearly one year) became possible due to modern tools and strategies of data acquisition. The
paper presents some significant results from the database analysis. Among many results, we would like to
underline the following: (i) a wide range of variability of mean flow and sea-state parameters was
documented; (ii) exceptionally large values of current velocity (7 m.s-1) and significant wave height (8 m)
were measured during extreme meteorological conditions; (iii) high frequency variability of current speed
during storm events was found also very large, with the standard deviation of velocity reaching 0.3 m.s -1 in
the bottom boundary layer, and 0.6 m.s-1 in the surface layer; (iv) predominant wind and wave direction
relative to the flow impacts the wave height and increases significantly the turbulence kinetic energy of the
flow. To our knowledge, this is the largest multi-variable database available at potential tidal energy site.
The results of database analysis can represent a significant advance in environmental conditions and
resource characterization and provide advanced information to turbine developers.
https://hal-normandie-univ.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02876678
Contributor : Anne-Claire Bennis <>
Submitted on : Sunday, June 21, 2020 - 1:40:56 PM
Last modification on : Thursday, October 1, 2020 - 12:28:02 PM
Contributor : Anne-Claire Bennis <>
Submitted on : Sunday, June 21, 2020 - 1:40:56 PM
Last modification on : Thursday, October 1, 2020 - 12:28:02 PM
