Velocity profile variability at a tidal-stream energy site (Alderney Race, France): From short (second) to yearly time scales

International audienceThis paper deals with in situ measurements of waves and currents in Alderney Race. This site is one of the most energetic tidal site in Western Europe with current values up to 5 m.s-1. However, this area is facing open sea to the west and thus strong wind can generate significant wave height interplaying with the tidal currents, which is a critical point for the dimensioning of the tidal turbines. We present our field measurements and our original database. Then, we discuss the preliminary results about the interactions between tidal currents and ocean waves