Numerical modelling of three-dimensional wave-current interactions in complex environment: Application to Alderney Race

Bennis, Anne-Claire; Furgerot, Lucille; Bois, Pascal Bailly du; Dumas, Franck; Odaka, Tina Erica; Lathuilière, Cyril; Filipot, Jean-François

doi:10.1016/j.apor.2019.102021

Cited by 27 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 73 publications

(51 reference statements)

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“…This result, previously obtained in numerical simulations by Bennis et al [17], reveals a complex modulation of tidal current speeds by wave forcing. (c) Assessing the spatial variability of currents Figure 10 shows the flood flow velocity field measured by towed ADCP during neap tide conditions.…”

Section: Preliminary Resultsofdatasupporting

confidence: 78%

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One year of measurements in Alderney Race: preliminary results from database analysis

Furgerot¹,

Sentchev

Bois³

et al. 2020

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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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 levels 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 also found to be 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; and (iv) predominant wind and wave direction relative to the flow impacts the wave height and significantly increases the turbulence kinetic energy of the flow. To our knowledge, this is the largest multi-variable database available on potential tidal energy sites. The results of database analysis can represent a significant advance in environmental conditions and resource characterization and provide advanced information to turbine developers. This article is part of the theme issue ‘New insights on tidal dynamics and tidal energy harvesting in the Alderney Race’.

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Section: Preliminary Resultsofdatasupporting

confidence: 78%

“…The complexity of local hydrodynamics and the interaction between the highly irregular bottom topography [15], powerful tidal stream and high waves was highlighted in a number of numerical studies devoted to this geographic area (e.g. [16][17][18]). This was also supported by an observationbased study [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

One year of measurements in Alderney Race: preliminary results from database analysis

Furgerot¹,

Sentchev

Bois³

et al. 2020

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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show abstract

“…Recent studies have exhausted the original processes existing in the Alderney Race, particularly with respect to the future deployment of tidal converters [14,40,[42][43][44][45]. They could be compared with other potential resources around the UK [46,47].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Measurements obtained during the HYD2M project and the development of coupled three-dimensional hydrodynamic models provide ways to account for all phenomena and improve our knowledge of most of the physical mechanisms involved. Recent studies have opened the way [15,40] and those presented in this theme issue have made significant progress. Differences between measurements and simulations show that many questions remain open concerning the turbulence and the kinetic energy transfer at different scales.…”

Section: (D) Wind-wave-water Mass-bottom Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Long-term tide gauge measurements are also sensible means to appraise the wind and pressure atmospheric interactions on water masses at the English Channel scale. In this context, the data acquired during the HYD2M project are particularly interesting with simultaneous records of ADCP [14,40] and radar current profiles, wave measurements and wind vertical profiles.…”

Section: (D) Wind-wave-water Mass-bottom Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Alderney Race: general hydrodynamic and particular features

Bois¹,

Dumas

Morillon³

et al. 2020

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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This study presents an overview of the main hydrodynamic features of the Alderney Race strait based on in situ measurements and two-dimensional hydrodynamic model simulations. The strait encompasses a large amplitude of tidal properties (tidal range and tidal wave propagation) and particularly strong currents exceeding 5 m s −1 with associated counter currents and gyres. Variations in depth, sea bottom roughness, coastal topography and current orientation around the La Hague Cape provide access to a large variety of original hydrodynamic regimes. Some are revealed as locations with a 0.4 m drop in the mean sea level associated with strong average currents. A resonance effect associated with the offshore currents can also be observed close to the coasts. The ‘St Martin whistle’ occurs in a bay whose gyre centre oscillates with a reversal of the measured current every 5–7 min. The Alderney Race represents a particular area of interest for coastal hydrodynamic studies. The available in situ measurement datasets are rich with recordings of: sea levels; acoustic Doppler current profiler current profiles; surface radar currents; waves; dye experiments; surface and in-depth dissolved tracer surveys. Combined with hydrodynamic models, the complexity of this area can be further understood and knowledge of the hydrodynamic process and forcing parameters can be refined, which can be applied to other coastal areas. This article is part of the theme issue ‘New insights on tidal dynamics and tidal energy harvesting in the Alderney Race’.

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Multistatic estimation of high-frequency radar surface currents in the region of Toulon

et al. 2020

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The Alderney Race has been identified as a future site for the development of tidal energy, due to its bidirectional strong current reaching 5 m/s during spring tides. This hydrodynamics is very difficult to measure by in situ or remote sensing means. High-frequency coastal radars can provide a synoptic and near-real-time view of such a complex circulation, but the classical processing algorithms are not adapted to the extreme situation of strongly sheared currents. We propose an improved high-resolution direction-finding technique for the azimuthal processing of such radar data. It uses phased-array systems and combines the advantages of the usual beam-forming technique to eliminate many problems related to the distortion of Doppler spectra by extreme currents. The method is evaluated with a unique data set of radar measurements at two radar frequencies (13 and 24.5 MHz) and three spatial resolutions (200, 750, and 1500 m). The radar-based surface currents are analyzed in the light of a high-resolution numerical model and also compared with in situ measurements. While high azimuthal resolution can be achieved in this way, it is shown that the typical range resolutions of 750 and 1500 m are insufficient to account for the strong spatial variations of the surface current at some specific times and locations.

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Numerical modelling of three-dimensional wave-current interactions in complex environment: Application to Alderney Race

Cited by 27 publications

References 73 publications

One year of measurements in Alderney Race: preliminary results from database analysis

One year of measurements in Alderney Race: preliminary results from database analysis

The Alderney Race: general hydrodynamic and particular features

Multistatic estimation of high-frequency radar surface currents in the region of Toulon

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