Optimal site selection and potential power assessment for tidal power generation in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan, based on high-resolution ocean modelling and multicriteria analysis

In response to Japan's ambitious pursuit of carbon neutrality by 2050, this paper investigates the potential for tidal power generation in the Seto Inland Sea (SIS), Japan, utilising high-resolution ocean modelling and an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) combined with GIS-based spatial analysis. The analysis incorporates a 100 m resolution tidal current and water depth layers from the ocean model. The criteria used for evaluation were divided into main criteria, namely, proximity to existing infrastructure, wave height, and shipping density, and subcriteria, namely, distance from ports, power stations, highly populated areas, and coastlines. The identified optimal locations include the Naruto Strait, Akashi Strait, Matsushima Island, Hanaguri Strait, Funaori Strait, Taizaki Island, Kurushima Strait, Obatake Strait, and Tsuwaji Strait. With a focused analysis of the Obatake Strait in Yamaguchi Prefecture, analytical assessments of potential tidal power were conducted by considering two