Estuarine hydrodynamic patterns and hydrokinetic energy production: The Douro estuary case study

Influenced by both marine and river flows, estuaries can present a high potential for hydrokinetic energy exploitation. In this study, the hydrokinetic energy production in the Douro estuary was evaluated through hydrodynamic numerical modelling. The model analysed the tide and river flow, reproduced the combined effects of these two factors on the main current velocity patterns, and identified the estuarine locations with the highest potential for energy exploitation. Given the river’s high variability caused by the precipitation patterns in the hydrographic basin area and the river’s torrential regime, several discharge scenarios were explored, combining spring and neap tides, and high and low river flows. The results revealed that the region with the highest potential is located in the upper part of the estuary, where the highest-velocity currents were achieved for mid-ebb tide conditions and strong river flows. It was also found that tides reinforce the hydrokinetic energy production during ebb tide, although they are not strong enough to produce high values of hydrokinetic energy, being the river flow the main forcing. This work demonstrates the relevance of choosing parametrized magnitudes that are not dependent on a specific equipment, as well as the importance of a proper characterization of the estuarine hydrodynamic patterns needed to optimize the hydrokinetic energy exploitation. •Numerical models are essential tools to represent the main forcings in estuaries.•Combined effects of tide and river flow increase the hydrokinetic energy production.•Hydrokinetic energy exploitation is optimized with hydrodynamic characterization.•Parametrized magnitudes are important to compare estuarine locations.