Hydrokinetic power resource assessment of the Florida Current

The Florida Current has a large hydrokinetic power resource that could be extracted by ocean energy conversion devices. Historical estimates have predicted that approximately 25 GW of hydrokinetic power is available in the Florida Current. This estimate is based on the entire flow through a given cross-section. Using HYCOM velocity data, the hydrokinetic power in the entire Florida Straits cross-section along 27° N is evaluated. The fluctuation of the total available power, on a monthly and daily basis, is studied. Subsequently, realistic parameters governing where hydrokinetic energy extraction devices-turbines-will be installed, is discussed. Using these parameters, a further estimate is made of what portion of the power is available for an array of turbines to extract.