Florida, S. Africa is a marine energy hotspot for renewable hunting capabilities around the world

Water near Florida’s east coast will soon become a new type of power plant. According to groundbreaking research by the Atlantic University in Florida, the current of this Atlantic Ocean has enough energy to rival traditional power supplies—without a carbon footprint.

The first global assessment shows that water flowing through the Florida coastline has 2,500 watts of energy per square meter, which could be captured by underwater turbines to generate electricity. Only South Africa’s coastline shows comparable energy potential.

The study, published in the journal Renewable Energy, uses more than 30 years of data from ocean drifters, satellite tracking buoys that have been measuring ocean currents since 1988. The researchers analyzed more than 43 million data points to create the most comprehensive ocean energy map ever produced.

“Our study shows that energy levels of 75% of high-power density areas covering approximately 490,000 square kilometers are between 500 and 1,000 watts per square meter,” explained Mahsan Sadoughipour, a graduate assistant at the School of Engineering and Computer Science, a lead author of the study. “This suggests great potential for collecting energy from ocean currents, especially in areas with moderate power density but important for sustainable energy production.”

What makes Florida coastal waters particularly attractive to energy production is not only the intensity of its current (mainly the Gulfstream), but also relatively shallow water depths of about 300 meters. This combination creates the ideal conditions for installing an underwater turbine, which can generate clean electricity during the day and night regardless of weather conditions.

These findings place Florida among a global elite group with major marine energy potential. This study identified four major regions around the world with huge energy: from Florida to North Carolina, the southeastern coast of the United States (including Somalia, Kenya, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Madagascar), the Eastern Pacific (including Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines) (including South America, North America) (including Eastern Pacific)

Energy production of ocean currents can help meet growing electricity demand while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Unlike wind and solar energy fluctuating in weather conditions, ocean currents maintain relatively consistent flow patterns, potentially providing more reliable renewable energy.

However, the road from research to implementation faces challenges. Yufei Tang, associate professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at FAU, noted that data restrictions in some regions were noted.

“There are limited data available in regions such as Brazil and South Africa, which affects the accuracy of energy forecasts, making it difficult to fully assess their energy extraction potential,” said Don. “Expanding data collection will refine our understanding and unlock the full energy potential.”

Another obstacle involves the technical challenge of installing the turbine in deep water. While the conditions in Florida are favorable, other high potential locations bring more difficulties.

“The relationship between depth and power density is crucial for turbine placement and design,” explains James H. Vanzwieten Jr., assistant professor at FAU’s co-author of marine and mechanical engineering and research. “Strong currents are located near the sea surface, with total water depths usually ranging from 250 meters to 3,000 meters.

The study also found seasonal changes in energy availability. During the summer (June to August), Florida waters show higher power density, which is in line with peak electricity demand due to the use of air conditioners. Similar patterns have emerged in other regions, with South Africa’s peak energy potential in the summer (December to February).

Gabriel Alsenas, director of the FAU South-East National Marine Renewable Energy Center, believes that the findings confirm the strategic importance of the region to renewable energy development.

“This groundbreaking study further consolidates southeast Florida, one of the main sites to harness the power of ocean currents,” said Alsenus. “At SNMREC, we are honored to be at the forefront of domestic energy innovation and push progress towards a more resilient future.”

Although marine energy technologies are not as developed as wind or solar, the study provides key data to guide future investments. These findings can help prioritize development areas and inform the design of specialized equipment needed to capture undeveloped energy.

For coastal communities facing rising energy demand and climate change problems, the ocean’s potential as a provider of clean energy provides a promising path forward, a one that flows across the coast.