The waters off Florida‘s east coast could soon become home to a new kind of power plant. According to groundbreaking research from Florida Atlantic University, this stretch of Atlantic Ocean holds enough energy in its currents to rival traditional power sources—without the carbon footprint.
A first-of-its-kind global assessment reveals that water flowing past Florida’s coastline carries more than 2,500 watts of energy per square meter—energy that could potentially 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, used more than 30 years of data from ocean drifters—satellite-tracked buoys that have been measuring ocean currents since 1988. Researchers analyzed over 43 million data points to create the most comprehensive map of ocean energy potential ever produced.
“Our study revealed that about 75% of the total high-power density areas, covering around 490,000 square kilometers of the ocean, have energy levels between 500 and 1,000 watts per square meter,” explained Mahsan Sadoughipour, the study’s lead author and a graduate research assistant at FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. “This suggests there’s a lot of potential for harvesting energy from ocean currents, especially in regions where power densities are moderate yet significant for sustainable energy production.”
What makes Florida’s coastal waters particularly attractive for energy production isn’t just the strength of its currents—primarily the Gulf Stream—but also the relatively shallow water depth of about 300 meters. This combination creates ideal conditions for installing underwater turbines that could generate clean electricity day and night, regardless of weather conditions.
The findings place Florida in an elite group of global locations with prime ocean energy potential. The research identified four main regions worldwide with significant energy resources: the Southeast coast of the United States from Florida to North Carolina, Eastern and Southeastern coasts of Africa (including Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Madagascar), Eastern Pacific regions (including Japan, Vietnam, and Philippines), and Northern South America (including Brazil and French Guiana).
Energy production from ocean currents could help address growing electricity demands while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Unlike wind and solar power, which fluctuate with weather conditions, ocean currents maintain relatively consistent flow patterns, potentially providing more reliable renewable energy.
However, the path from research to implementation faces challenges. Yufei Tang, an associate professor at FAU’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and study co-author, points to data limitations in some regions.
“Regions like Brazil and South Africa have limited data available, which affect the accuracy of energy predictions, making it harder to fully assess their potential for energy extraction,” Tang said. “Expanding data collection will refine our understanding and unlock the full energy potential.”
Another obstacle involves the technical challenges of installing turbines in deep water. While Florida’s conditions are favorable, other high-potential locations present more difficulties.
“The relationship between depth and power density is crucial for turbine placement and design,” explained James H. VanZwieten Jr., assistant professor in FAU’s Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering and study co-author. “Strong ocean currents are located near the sea surface where the total water depth typically ranges from 250 meters to more than 3,000 meters. This presents significant challenges, as turbines would require advanced mooring systems to keep them stable and operational.”
The research also uncovered seasonal variations in energy availability. In summer months (June to August), Florida’s waters show higher power densities—coinciding with peak electricity demand due to air conditioning use. Similar patterns appear in other regions, with South Africa’s peak energy potential occurring during its summer (December to February).
Gabriel Alsenas, director of FAU’s Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center, sees the findings as confirmation of the region’s strategic importance for renewable energy development.
“This groundbreaking research further solidifies Southeast Florida as one of the premier locations for harnessing the power of ocean currents,” Alsenas said. “At SNMREC, we are proud to be at the forefront of domestic energy innovation, driving progress toward a more resilient future.”
While ocean energy technology remains less developed than wind or solar, the research provides crucial data for guiding future investments. The findings could help prioritize regions for development and inform the design of specialized equipment needed to capture this untapped energy source.
For coastal communities facing rising energy demands and climate change concerns, the ocean’s potential as a clean energy provider offers a promising path forward—one that flows right past their shores.
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