Tidal current energy assessment for Johnstone Strait, Vancouver Island

Abstract

The maximum tidal power potential of Johnstone Strait, BC, Canada is evaluated using a two-dimensional finite element model (TIDE2D) with turbines simulated in certain regions by increasing the drag. Initially, side channels are closed off so that the flow is forced through one channel to test the validity of a general analytic theory [1] with numerical results. In this case, the modelled power potential of 886 MW agrees reasonably well with the analytic estimate of 826 MW. In reality, two main channels, Discovery Passage and Cordero Channel, connect the Pacific Ocean to the Strait of Georgia. Turbines are simulated in Johnstone Strait, northwest of the two main channels, and separately for Discovery Passage and Cordero Channel. Northwestern Johnstone Strait is similar to the one channel case as the flow must go through this channel, but Discovery Passage and Cordero Channel are different as the flow can be diverted away from the channel with the turbines and into the other channel. The maximum extractable power in northwestern Johnstone Strait is found to be 1335 MW, which agrees well with the theoretical estimate of 1320 MW. In Discovery Passage and Cordero Channel, the maximum extractable power is modelled to be 401 and 277 MW, respectively, due to the flow being partly diverted into the other channel. In all cases, the current is reduced to between 57 and 58 per cent of the undisturbed flow, close to the 56 per cent predicted by the analytic theory. All power calculations are for the M2 constituent alone, as this is the largest current in the region. The total power from the eight major constituents (M2, S2, N2, K2, K1, 01, P1, and Q1) can be obtained by multiplying the power estimates for M2 by 1.12.