A tidal energy assessment in the strait of Messina

This study reports an energy assessment of a tidal power plant located in the strait of Messina (Mediterranean Sea). Tidal currents are not adequately exploited as renewable energy sources all over the world, even if their potential is not negligible and their predictability is certainly a relevant advantage. The objective of this study is to reveal the latent potential of tidal currents and the obtainable energy. The selected location is characterized by a semi-diurnal tidal current that is highly predictable and can reach speeds exceeding 3 m/s. The energy assessment focuses on open flow tidal turbines and leverages the latest technologies for harvesting energy from tidal currents, and the total energy produced was calculated by integrating current velocities over a whole year with 15-minutes time intervals. The coastal profile and the bathymetry of the location selected allowed to define a tidal energy park consisting of 113 horizontal axis tidal turbines (HATTs), with a total capacity installed of 271 MW and an annual production of nearly 145 GWh: this result show that tidal energy may represents a viable option to increase the share of renewable energy production.