Marine hydrokinetics (MHK) comprises a range of energy technologies for electricity generation from wave and tidal power.
Marine hydrokinetic (MHK) energy devices — tidal turbines and wave converters — can alter the hydrodynamics and salinity of ecologically sensitive coastal systems. Accurately predicting these effects is essential for permitting, environmental assessments, and responsible siting decisions.
EEMS includes an MHK sub-model, originally developed at Sandia National Laboratories, for simulating tidal and wave energy devices in rivers, tidal channels, and ocean currents. The model captures how energy extraction alters local flow conditions, supporting ecological impact assessments and optimized device placement.
A modeling framework based on EFDC identifies deployment locations for current-energy-capture devices that maximize power output while minimizing environmental impacts.
EEMS was applied to an MHK test case developed by IFREMER, the French national institute for ocean science, to validate sub-model performance in a realistic marine setting. Results confirmed that EFDC+ accurately reproduces the flow effects of tidal turbine arrays, establishing it as a reliable tool for real-world MHK siting and impact studies.
