Dear John, Getting back to the issue of power rating, or rating in general for tidal vs thermal currents: from oceanographic literature I understand the Gulf Stream can attain a surface velocity up to 2 m/s over large stretches. Certainly, there are wind-induced fluctuations leading to a sort of a Weibull distro as in wind proper. However, when compared to wind and tidal currents, the thermal currents certainly have a much narrower current speed distribution, with almost all energy present in a very narrow range, and probably lower extremes. (simply due to the fact that they don't stop). The turbine can be geared to this 'site speed', and it would certainly be worth it. I guess a net capacity factor of 0.8 would not be out of the range for a marine current turbine in a thermal current. In my opinion this would well pay for some cabling, mooring ... all problems that can be overcome. What sort of a net capacity factor would you expect for tidal, say the Pentland Firth, as an example? Best regards, Arnulf
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by Arnulf Knittel