Fundamentals of Ocean Renewable Energy

Fundamentals of Ocean Renewable Energy: Generating Electricity from the Sea presents the basic concepts of mechanics and introduces the various technical aspects of ocean renewable energy. Contents follow a logical sequence, starting with hydrodynamics and then separately examining each conversion technology, with special focus on tidal energy, offshore wind and wave energy, as well as current and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). The authors explore key topics for resource characterization and optimization, such as monitoring and measurement methods and ocean modeling. They also discuss the sustainability, planning, integration and distribution challenges for the implementation of these technologies, including co-location with other systems. Finally, case studies of ocean energy sites and devices allow for a better understanding of how ocean energy conversion works in real-world settings. This book is an invaluable resource for students at graduate and senior undergraduate level engineering (ocean, mechanical, and civil) and oceanography with prior knowledge of fluid mechanics and mechanics of materials. - Presents the fundamental physics and theory behind ocean energy systems, covering both oceanographic and engineering aspects of ocean energy - Explores the most widely adopted conversion technologies, including tidal, wave, offshore wind, ocean thermal and currents

Simon Neill is a Reader in Physical Oceanography at the School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University (UK), and is founder and course director of an MSc in Marine Renewable Energy. He was awarded a BEng in Civil Engineering from the University of Dundee (1997), and a PhD in estuarine physics from the University of Strathclyde (2002). He has published around 70 peer-reviewed journal articles, half of which are on the topic of marine renewable energy. He is involved in many national and international projects, and is a committee member of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), working on revising IEC Technical Specification 62600-201: Tidal Energy Resource Assessment and Characterization.