Towards a Realistic Numerical Modelling of Wave-Current-Turbulence Interactions in Alderney Race

This paper deals with the numerical modelling of wave-current-turbulence interactions in Alderney Race. This location is one of the most energetic tidal site in Western Europe with current values up to 5 m/s. Interactions between tidal current and ocean waves in a context of high turbulence level play an important role on the vertical structure of the flow, which is a critical point for the dimensioning of the tidal turbines. So, we present the numerical validation of our three-dimensional fully-coupled wave-current model with field measurements. Then, we discuss how ocean waves modulate tidal flow and change the tidal stream energy estimates.