Feasibility study of a small standalone marine power source

Abstract

This paper presents a preliminary technical feasibility of using marine current as a possible source of renewable energy production in Kuwait substituting fossil fuel based energy production. Kuwait sea water depth and velocity have been studied in order to obtain the most suitable location for such system. Topographical data collected from Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research for marine currents and seabed have been used in carrying on a simulation study of the proposed system where the possible power output has been estimated. An economical study comparing the implementation of a small standalone generator and the implementation of a marine current generator for a standalone application was carried out showing the advantages of the latter. This preliminary work will help to show that marine current energy is a viable source of energy.