LAPSE:2023.25372
Published Article
LAPSE:2023.25372
Assessing Hydrokinetic Energy in the Mexican Caribbean: A Case Study in the Cozumel Channel
March 28, 2023
This paper presents a techno-economic assessment of hydrokinetic energy of Cozumel Island, where ocean currents have been detected, but tourist activities are paramount. The main objective of this research is to identify devices that have been used to harvest hydrokinetic power elsewhere and perform an economic analysis as to their implementation in the Mexican Caribbean. First, the energy potential of the area was evaluated using simulated data available through the HYCOM consortium. Then, for four pre-commercial and commercial turbines, technical and economic analyses of their deployments were performed. Socio-environmental constraints were reviewed and discussed. Three optimal sites were identified, with an average annual hydrokinetic energy density of 3−6 MWh/m2-year. These sites meet the socio-environmental requirements for marine kinetic energy harvesting. Of the turbines considered in the analysis, the best energy price/cost ratio is that of SeaGen device, with a maximum theoretical energy extraction of 1319 MWh/year with a Capacity Factor of 12.5% and a Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) of 1148 USD/MWh. Using this device, but assuming a site-specific design that achieves at least 25% of Capacity Factor, 20-year useful life, and a discount rate of 0.125, the LCOE would be 685.6 USD/MWh. The approach presented here can be applied for techno-economic analyses of marine turbines in other regions.
Keywords
cost of renewable energy, cozumel, developing regions, environmental constraints, marine turbines, ocean current energy, Technoeconomic Analysis
Suggested Citation
Bárcenas Graniel JF, Fontes JVH, Garcia HFG, Silva R. Assessing Hydrokinetic Energy in the Mexican Caribbean: A Case Study in the Cozumel Channel. (2023). LAPSE:2023.25372
Author Affiliations
Bárcenas Graniel JF: Departamento de Ciencias Básicas e Ingeniería, Universidad del Caribe, SM. 78, Manzana 1, Lote 1, Esq. Fraccionamiento Tabachines, Cancun 77528, Mexico; Coordinación de Hidráulica, Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, E [ORCID]
Fontes JVH: Departamento de Engenharia Naval, Escola Superior de Tecnologia, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Av. Darcy Vargas, 1200, Parque Dez de Novembro, Manaus 69050-020, Brazil [ORCID]
Garcia HFG: Departamento de Ciencias Básicas e Ingeniería, Universidad del Caribe, SM. 78, Manzana 1, Lote 1, Esq. Fraccionamiento Tabachines, Cancun 77528, Mexico
Silva R: Coordinación de Hidráulica, Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Edificio 17, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico [ORCID]
Journal Name
Energies
Volume
14
Issue
15
First Page
4411
Year
2021
Publication Date
2021-07-22
Published Version
ISSN
1996-1073
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Original Submission
Other Meta
PII: en14154411, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2023.25372
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doi:10.3390/en14154411
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Mar 28, 2023
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