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Ocean Modelling for Resource Characterization Chapter | 8 209

prisms (3D). Next, conservation laws are applied to each individual cell to form
enough algebraic equations, which can be solved to compute the state variables.

8.3 TIDAL MODELLING

There are a wide variety of models available for tidal resource assessment,
ranging from open-source to commercial codes, and from 2D structured to
3D unstructured. A summary of the main models that are suitable for tidal
resource assessment is provided in Fig. 8.13. These models range in complexity
of user operation; for example, POM is a relatively simple code, but requires
compilation and execution via line commands, whereas commercial codes such
as MIKE 3 are controlled by a graphical user interface (GUI) and are suitable
for running on desktop PCs. Some of the models (e.g. ROMS and FVCOM)
are rather difficult to install and operate, and are generally recommended
for more experienced modellers. However, the advantage of such complexity
is the flexibility to couple models such as ROMS to many other models
(and multiple models simultaneously), for example, the SWAN wave model,
the WRF atmospheric model, and the community sediment transport model.
Further, because models like ROMS are suited for parallel processing, they
can be implemented on supercomputers (see Section 8.7). This is particularly
useful for long timescale (e.g. decadal) and high-resolution simulations, but
particularly when the tidal model is coupled with other modelling systems, and
hence computationally expensive.

FIG. 8.13 Some of the most popular ocean modelling codes suitable for tidal resource assessment.