Assessing the European Wave Energy Resource

1998 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 226-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Pontes
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Power Level ◽  
General Pattern ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Altimeter Data ◽  
Directional Distribution ◽  
The North ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Mediterranean

The European Wave Energy Atlas (WERATLAS), developed within a R&D European project, includes a wide range of annual and seasonal wave-climate and wave-energy statistics for 85 offshore data points distributed along the Atlantic and Mediterranean European coasts. The data used are results of the numerical wind-wave WAM model, implemented at ECMWF, and buoy data for the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, and Barents Sea. A full verification of WAM results against buoy and satellite altimeter data revealed that the accuracy of the results is very good for the North Atlantic, but the hindcasts quality is lower for the Mediterranean, probably due to poorer accuracy of the input wind fields. The patterns of power level and power directional distribution over the Northeastern Atlantic are presented along with the interannual wave and power variability. The wave power level is much lower in the Mediterranean, where it is not possible to find a general pattern for the power level and its directional distribution.

Use of Numerical Wind-Wave Models for Assessment of the Offshore Wave Energy Resource

1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. 184-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Pontes ◽  
S. Barstow ◽  
L. Bertotti ◽  
L. Cavaleri ◽  
H. Oliveira-Pires
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wind Wave ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Altimeter Data ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Wave Models

In the last two decades the performance of numerical wind-wave models has improved considerably. Several models have been routinely producing good quality wave estimates globally since the mid-1980s. The verifications of wind-wave models have mainly focused on the evaluation of the error of the significant wave height Hs estimates. However, for wave energy purposes, the main parameters to be assessed are the wave power Pw and the mean (energy) period Te. Since Pw is proportional to Hs2 Tc, its expected error is much larger than for the single-wave parameters. This paper summarizes the intercomparison of two wind-wave models against buoy data in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea to select the most suitable one for the construction of an Atlas of the wave energy resource in European waters. A full verification in the two basins of the selected model—the WAM model implemented in the routine operation of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts—was then performed against buoy and satellite altimeter data. It was found that the WAM model accuracy is very good for offshore locations in the North Atlantic; but for the Mediterranean Sea the results are much less accurate, probably due to a lower quality of the input wind fields.

Wave Energy Resource Assessment Using Satellite Altimeter Data

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ed Mackay ◽  
AbuBakr Bahaj ◽  
Chris Retzler ◽  
Peter Challenor
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Significant Wave Height ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Resource Assessment ◽  
Altimeter Data ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Mean Power ◽  
Satellite Altimeter ◽  
Buoy Data ◽  
Satellite Altimeter Data

The use of altimeter measurements of significant wave height and energy period for quantifying wave energy resource is investigated. A new algorithm for calculating wave period from altimeter data, developed by the authors in previous work, is used to estimate the power generated by the Pelamis wave energy converter and compared to estimates from collocated buoy data. In offshore locations accurate estimates of monthly and annual mean power can be achieved by combining measurements from six altimeter missions. Furthermore, by averaging along sections of the altimeter ground track, we demonstrate that it is possible to gauge the spatial variability in nearshore areas, with a resolution of the order of 10 km. Although measurements along individual tracks are temporally sparse, with TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason on a 10 day repeat orbit, GFO 17 days, and ERS-2 and ENVISAT 35 days, the long record of altimeter measurements means that multi-year mean power from single tracks are of a useful accuracy.

Using Remote Sensed Data for Wave Energy Resource Assessment

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Pontes ◽  
M. Bruck
Keyword(s):  
Wave Height ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wind Waves ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Resource Assessment ◽  
Altimeter Data ◽  
Zero Crossing ◽  
Frequency Wave ◽  
Buoy Data

The conversion of the energy contained in ocean waves into an useful form of energy namely electrical energy requires the knowledge at least of wave height and period parameters. Since 1992 at least one altimeter has been accurately measuring significant wave height Hs. To derive wave period parameters namely zero-crossing period Tz from the altimeter backscatter coefficient various models have been proposed. Another space-borne sensor that measures ocean waves is SAR (or the advanced ASAR) from which directional spectra are obtained. In this paper various models proposed to compute Tz from altimeter data are presented and verified against a collocated set of Jason altimeter and NDBC buoy data. A good fitting of altimeter estimates to buoy data was found. Directional spectra obtained from ENVISAT ASAR measurements were compared against NDBC buoy data. It was concluded that for the buoys that are more sensitive to long low-frequency wave components the fitting of wave parameters and spectral form is good for short spatial distances. However, since the cut-off ASAR frequency is low (reliable information is provided only for long waves) their use for wave energy resource assessment in areas where wind-waves are important is limited.

Wave energy resource assessment in the Mediterranean, the Italian perspective

2013 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
pp. 938-949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Liberti ◽  
Adriana Carillo ◽  
Gianmaria Sannino
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Resource Assessment ◽  
The Mediterranean

scholarly journals The Economic Feasibility of Floating Offshore Wave Energy Farms in the North of Spain

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Castro-Santos ◽  
Ana Bento ◽  
Carlos Guedes Soares
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
The North ◽  
Cost Of Energy ◽  
Offshore Wave ◽  
North Of Spain

A technique to analyse the economic viability of offshore farms composed of wave energy converters is proposed. Firstly, the inputs, whose value will be considered afterwards in the economic step, was calculated using geographic information software. Secondly, the energy produced by each wave converter was calculated. Then the economic factors were computed. Finally, the restriction that considers the depth of the region (bathymetry) was put together with the economic outputs, whose value depends on the floating Wave Energy Converter (WEC). The method proposed was applied to the Cantabric and Atlantic coasts in the north of Spain, a region with a good offshore wave energy resource. In addition, three representative WECs were studied: Pelamis, AquaBuoy and Wave Dragon; and five options for electric tariffs were analysed. Results show the Wave Energy Converter that has the best results regarding its LCOE (Levelized Cost of Energy), IRR (Internal Rate of Return) and NPV (Net Present Value), and which area is best for the development of a wave farm.

scholarly journals Wave Energy Resource Assessment for Exploitation—A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Guillou ◽  
George Lavidas ◽  
Georges Chapalain
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Resource Assessment ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Technical Specifications ◽  
Reduced Costs

Over recent decades, the exploitation of wave energy resources has sparked a wide range of technologies dedicated to capturing the available power with maximum efficiency, reduced costs, and minimum environmental impacts. These different objectives are fundamental to guarantee the development of the marine wave energy sector, but require also refined assessments of available resource and expected generated power to optimize devices designs and locations. We reviewed here the most recent resource characterizations starting from (i) investigations based on available observations (in situ and satellite) and hindcast databases to (ii) refined numerical simulations specifically dedicated to wave power assessments. After an overall description of formulations and energy metrics adopted in resource characterization, we exhibited the benefits, limitations and potential of the different methods discussing results obtained in the most energetic locations around the world. Particular attention was dedicated to uncertainties in the assessment of the available and expected powers associated with wave–climate temporal variability, physical processes (such as wave–current interactions), model implementation and energy extraction. This up-to-date review provided original methods complementing the standard technical specifications liable to feed advanced wave energy resource assessment.

scholarly journals Wind and wave energy resource of Germany reported by ERA-Interim reanalysis data

2019 ◽  
Vol 122 ◽  
pp. 04003
Author(s):  
Eugen Rusu ◽  
Florin Onea
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Offshore Wind Farms ◽  
The North ◽  
Marine Energy ◽  
Suitable Area

The aim of this work is to identify the most suitable offshore wind farms from Germany that present relevant wave conditions, suitable for the development of a wave energy project. By using the ERA-Interim data (wind and waves) reported for the time interval from 1999 and 2018, was possible to identify the more important areas, by taking also into account the seasonal distributions. Several wave energy converters were considered for assessment, for which a capacity factor located between 2.5% and 14% was reported, better results being accounted by the Seabased system (rated at 15 kW). Finally, we canconcluded that the North Sea represent an important area in terms of the marine energy and since at this moment there are operational wave projects, this will represent a suitable area for the development of a mixed wind-wave project.

scholarly journals Wave Energy in the Mediterranean Sea: Resource Assessment, Deployed WECs and Prospects

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (16) ◽  
pp. 4764
Author(s):  
Evangelia Dialyna ◽  
Theocharis Tsoutsos
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Resource Assessment ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
Mediterranean Country ◽  
Mediterranean Islands ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
The Mediterranean

A detailed review of wave energy resource assessment and the state-of-the-art of deployed wave energy converters (WECs) in real environmental conditions in the Mediterranean Sea have been analysed in this study. The installed power of the several deployed WECs in the Mediterranean Sea varies between 3–2500 kW. Ten project cases of deployed WECs in the basin are presented, with their analysis of the essential features. Five different types of WEC have already been tested under real environmental conditions in Italy, Greece, Israel and Gibraltar, with Italy being the Mediterranean country with the most deployed WECs. The main questions of the relevant studies were the ongoing trends, the examination of WECs in combination with other renewable sources, the utilising of WECs for desalination, and the prospects of wave energy in the Mediterranean islands and ports. This paper is the first comprehensive study that overviews the recent significant developments in the wave energy sector in the Mediterranean countries. The research concludes that the advances of the wave energy sector in the Mediterranean Sea are significant. However, in order to commercialise WECs and wave energy exploitation to become profitable, more development is necessary.

An Experimental Study of the Hydrodynamic Effects of Marine Growth on Wave Energy Converters

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roxana Tiron ◽  
Sarah Gallagher ◽  
Kenneth Doherty ◽  
Emmanuel G. Reynaud ◽  
Frédéric Dias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Ocean Surface Waves ◽  
The North

Even though the outstanding energy resource provided by ocean surface waves has long been recognized, the extraction of wave power is still in its infancy. Meanwhile, the increased interest in sustainable energy alternatives could lead to large-scale deployments of wave energy convertors (WECs) worldwide in the near future. In this context, the interaction of WECs with the marine environment is an issue that has come under increased scrutiny. In particular, the accumulation of biological deposits on the device (commonly referred to as biofouling) could lead to a modification in the behaviour and performance of the device design. For coastal devices in the North-Eastern Atlantic region, the main contributors to biofouling are likely to be the brown algae from the genus Laminaria. In the experimental study described in this paper, we have investigated the effects of algal growth on a scale model of the Oyster 800 WEC, a technology developed by Aquamarine Power. The experiments were carried out in the wave tank at Queens University Belfast. The algal growth on the device has been emulated with plastic stripes attached on the surface of the device. Several configurations with various placements and stripe dimensions were tested, in sea states typical to the targeted deployment sites. Our experiments were designed as a worst-case scenario and provide first insights into the potential effects of biofouling on the performance of a WEC. The experiments indicate that the effects of biofouling could be significant and suggest the need for further investigation.

Study on wave energy resource assessing method based on altimeter data—A case study in Northwest Pacific

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Wan ◽  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Junmin Meng ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
Yongshou Dai
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Altimeter Data ◽  
Northwest Pacific ◽  
Assessing Method
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document