Hydrodynamic Modeling and Tidal Energy Potential Assessment Near the Coastal Area of Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

The coastline of Sindh-Pakistan has a dense network of creeks and streams extending from Karachi to Sir Creek and with varying morphology presents a suitable scenario for tidal energy extraction. Reliable estimates are limited by continuous coastline morphological changes due mainly to natural and anthropogenic activities. An in-depth analysis of the morphology of Waddi Khuddi and Daboo Creeks is presented by developing hydrodynamic numerical models. Delft3D hydro- and morpho-dynamic high-resolution numerical modeling software models the two creeks. In order to have higher resolution and better estimates of tidal potential, the domain decomposition method is employed with an averaged grid size downscaled to 15 x 35 m2. Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler observed data of the depth-averaged velocity at Daboo Creek is used to validate the developed model. RMSE and R values of 0.104 and 0.839 are obtained indicating reliable agreement with observed data. Estimated power densities at three different sites in Waddi Khuddi Creek are 0.373 kWm-2, 0.682 kWm-2, and 0.262 kWm-2, with a total of 37.25 MW. At Daboo Creek, at three different sites the estimated power densities are 0.373 kWm-2, 0.885 kWm-2, and 0.682 kWm-2, with a total of 54.862 MW using 1000 turbines for each Creek.

Keywords: Tidal wave energy, Resource assessment, hydrodynamic modeling, Morphological analysis, Validation, Pakistan coastline