Tidal resource extraction in the Pentland Firth, UK: Potential impacts on flow regime and sediment transport in the Inner Sound of Stroma

• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2014.11.079
• Publication Date: 2014-12-10T09:00:22Z
• Authors: R. Martin-Short; J. Hill; S.C. Kramer; A. Avdis; P.A. Allison; M.D. Piggott
• Keywords: Tidal power

Large-scale extraction of power from tidal streams within the Pentland Firth is expected to be underway in near future. The Inner Sound Stroma particular has attracted significant commercial interest. To understand potential environmental impacts installation a turbine array case study based upon considered. A numerical computational fluid dynamics model, Fluidity, used conduct series depth-averaged simulations investigate velocity and bed shear stress changes due presence idealised arrays. number turbines increased zero 400. It found that arrays excess 85 have affect distributions such way most favourable sites for sediment accumulation migrate edges towards its centre. Deposits fine gravel coarse sand are indicated occur greater than 240 with removal existing deposits shallower channel margins also possible. effects may seen several kilometres site which implications not only on accumulation, but benthic fauna.