A Detailed Investigation of the Nearshore Wave Climate and the Nearshore Wave Energy Resource on the West Coast of Ireland

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Gallagher ◽  
Roxana Tiron ◽  
Frederic Dias
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Wave Model ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Offshore Area ◽  
Medium Range Weather Forecast ◽  
Maintenance Activities

The western coast of Ireland possesses one of the highest wave energy resources in the world and consequently is a promising location for the future deployment of Wave Energy Converters (WECs). Most wave climate studies for this region have focused primarily on the offshore area since it enjoys higher energy densities. However, recent studies have shown that nearshore locations offer a similar potential for the exploitation of wave energy as offshore sites [13]. Furthermore, the proximity of WEC devices to the shore will likely reduce losses in power transport, and facilitate access for maintenance activities. In this context, we analyse the wave climate over a ten year period for several nearshore sites off the Irish West Coast. The wave climate is estimated using a spectral wave model, WaveWatch III, forced with wind and spectral wave data from the ECMWF (European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast) operational archive. The wave model is validated with wave buoy data from intermediate to shallow depths (< 60 m). Our focus is on two aspects of the wave climate resource assessment. Firstly, we characterise the directionality of the wave energy resource (mean direction, directional spread) which affects the site selection, design and performance of nearshore WECs. Secondly, we discuss the climate data from the perspective of accessibility for maintenance. When selecting sites for the deployment of WECs, a balance needs to be found between two opposing criteria: the existence of sufficiently long, continuous time intervals of calm sea states (weather windows) which are necessary for maintenance activities to take place, and a high, consistent level of wave energy density, essential for economically viable wave energy extraction.

An Atlas of the Wave-Energy Resource in Europe

1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Pontes ◽  
G. A. Athanassoulis ◽  
S. Barstow ◽  
L. Cavaleri ◽  
B. Holmes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Wave Model ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
Weather Forecasts ◽  
Wave Measurements ◽  
Directional Wave ◽  
Offshore Wave ◽  
Climate Statistics

An atlas of the European offshore wave energy resource, being developed within the scope of a European R&D program, includes the characterization of the offshore resource for the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts of Europe in addition to providing wave-energy and wave-climate statistics that are of interest to other users of the ocean. The wave data used for compiling the Atlas come from the numerical wind-wave model WAM, implemented in the routine operation of the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), in addition to directional wave measurements from the Norwegian offshore waters.

A Nearshore Wave Energy Atlas for Portugal

2003 ◽  
Vol 127 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Pontes ◽  
R. Aguiar ◽  
H. Oliveira Pires
Keyword(s):  
Wave Height ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Extreme Values ◽  
Probability Distributions ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Joint Probability ◽  
Wave Model ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
Open Ocean ◽  
Peak Period

The nearshore wave energy resource in Portugal has been assessed through the development of ONDATLAS. This is an electronic atlas, compatible with Internet access, containing comprehensive wave climate and wave energy statistics for 78 points at about 20m water depth spaced variably ca.5-30km, 5 points at deep water, and 2 points at open ocean locations. The data were produced by a third-generation wind-wave model, complemented by an inverse-ray model that computes the directional spectra transformation from open ocean to the nearshore. Shoaling, refraction, bottom dissipation, and shelter by the coastline and/or neighboring islands are taken into account. ONDATLAS statistics comprise yearly and monthly values, variability and probability data for significant wave height, energy (mean) period, peak period and wave power, and directional histograms for wave and power direction. Joint probability distributions for various combinations of the above parameters are also available, as well as extreme values and return period for wave height and period parameters. A summary of the detailed verification of this model using long-term buoy measurements at four sites is presented. The main characteristics of ONDATLAS are described. The strong spatial variability that wave conditions exhibit at the coastal area are illustrated and a brief assessment of the nearshore resource at the Portugal mainland is presented.

scholarly journals Wave Energy Assessment around the Aegadian Islands (Sicily)

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Re ◽  
Giorgio Manno ◽  
Giuseppe Ciraolo ◽  
Giovanni Besio
Keyword(s):  
Energy Flux ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Wave Model ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
Propagation Model ◽  
Energy Potential ◽  
Wave Hindcast ◽  
Wave Energy Converters ◽  
Wave Energy Flux

This paper presents the estimation of the wave energy potential around the Aegadian islands (Italy), carried out on the basis of high resolution wave hindcast. This reanalysis was developed employing Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) and WAVEWATCH III ® models for the modelling of the atmosphere and the waves, respectively. Wave climate has been determined using the above-mentioned 32-year dataset covering the years from 1979 to 2010. To improve the information about wave characteristics regarding spatial details, i.e., increasing wave model resolution, especially in the nearshore region around the islands, a SWAN (Simulating WAves Nearshore) wave propagation model was used. Results obtained through the development of the nearshore analysis detected four energetic hotspots close to the coast of the islands. Near Marettimo island, only one hotspot was detected with a maximum wave energy flux of 9 kW/m, whereas, around Favignana, three hotspots were identified with a maximum wave energy flux of 6.5 kW/m. Such values of available wave energy resource are promising to develop different projects for wave energy converters in specific areas along the coast, in order to improve the energetic independence of Aegadian islands.

A Nearshore Wave Energy Atlas for Portugal

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Pontes ◽  
R. Aguiar ◽  
H. Oliveira Pires
Keyword(s):  
Wave Height ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Extreme Values ◽  
Probability Distributions ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Joint Probability ◽  
Wave Model ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
Open Ocean ◽  
Peak Period

The nearshore wave energy resource in Portugal has been assessed through the development of ONDATLAS. This is an electronic atlas, compatible with Internet access, containing comprehensive wave climate and wave energy statistics for 78 points at about 20 m water depth spaced variably ca. 5 km to 30 km, 5 points at deep water and 2 points at open ocean locations. The data were produced by a third-generation wind-wave model, complemented by an inverse-ray model that computes the directional spectra transformation from open ocean to the near-shore. Shoaling, refraction, bottom dissipation and shelter by the coastline and/or neighbouring islands are taken into account. ONDATLAS statistics comprise yearly and monthly values, variability and probability data for significant wave height, energy (mean) period, peak period and wave power, and directional histograms for wave and power direction. Joint probability distributions for various combinations of the above parameters are also available, as well as extreme values and return period for wave height and period parameters. A summary of the detailed verification of this model using long-term buoy measurements at four sites is presented. The main characteristics of ONDATLAS are described. The strong spatial variability that wave conditions exhibit at the coastal area are illustrated and a brief assessment of the nearshore resource at the Portugal mainland is presented.

Wave Climate Analysis for a Wave Energy Conversion Application in Brazil

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliab R. Beserra ◽  
Andre´ L. T. Mendes ◽  
Segen F. Estefen ◽  
Carlos E. Parente
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wind Waves ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Wave Energy Conversion ◽  
Annual Fluctuation ◽  
Significant Wave ◽  
Climate Analysis

A variety of ocean wave energy conversion devices have been proposed worldwide considering different technology and energy extraction methods. In order to support full-scale prototype design and performance assessments of a conversion scheme to be deployed on the northern coast of Brazil, a long-term wave climate analysis is under development. A 5-year pitch-roll buoy data series has been investigated through an adaptive technique to enhance spatial resolution and allow for accurate wave directionality evaluation. Device design most influential variables such as extreme significant wave height, peak period and directionality were considered. Temporal variability in wave energy levels was particularly investigated for energy resource assessment. The major findings of this work include the narrow directional amplitude of the incident wave and higher significant wave heights of locally generated waves. The estimated energy resource levels agreed well with literature, also showing little annual fluctuation. The wave climate demonstrated to be in full agreement with the large-scale Equatorial Atlantic atmospheric variability, dominated by either local wind waves or by distant storm swells.

scholarly journals Wave Energy Assessment in the South Aquitaine Nearshore Zone from a 44-Year Hindcast

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ximun Lastiri ◽  
Stéphane Abadie ◽  
Philippe Maron ◽  
Matthias Delpey ◽  
Pedro Liria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Unstructured Grid ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Wave Model ◽  
Submarine Canyon ◽  
Resource Assessment ◽  
Resource Information ◽  
Energy Assessment ◽  
Local Wave ◽  
The One

Wave resource assessment is the first step toward the installation of a wave energy converter (WEC). To support initiatives for wave energy development in the southwest of France, a coastal wave database is built from a 44-year hindcast simulation with the spectral wave model SWAN (Simulating WAve Nearshore) run on a high-resolution unstructured grid. The simulation includes shallow-water processes such as refraction, shoaling, and breaking. The model is validated against a five-year coastal wave buoy recording. The study shows that most of the resource is provided by sea states with wave heights ranging from 2 to 5 m, with wave periods from 10 and 15 s, and coming from a very narrow angular sector. The long hindcast duration and the refined unstructured grid used for the simulation allow assessment of the spatiotemporal distribution of wave energy across the coastal area. On the one hand, large longshore variations of the resource caused by steep bathymetric gradients such as the Capbreton submarine canyon are underlined. On the other hand, the study highlights that no specific long-term trend can be extracted regarding the coastal wave energy resource evolution. The provided downscaled local wave resource information may be used to optimize the location and design of a future WEC that could be deployed in the region.

Modelling Wave Energy Resources in the Irish West Coast

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Rute Bento ◽  
Paulo Martinho ◽  
Ricardo Campos ◽  
C. Guedes Soares
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
Extensive Study ◽  
Wave Power ◽  
Target Area ◽  
Wave Models ◽  
The Time Domain ◽  
Validation Tests ◽  
Buoy Data

In order to assess the potential wave energy extraction, a study is made to validate a model that can be used to characterize Ireland’s wave climate in a more extensive study. The target area is the Irish West Coast, known for having the highest average wave power in Europe. The wave conditions in the coastal area were characterized by coupling the wave models SWAN and WAVEWATCH III. Validation tests are carried out with buoy data so that the model’s performance can be evaluated. The wave parameters considered for the comparisons in the time domain are significant wave height and mean period, and the spatial distribution of wave energy is examined in a case study. Theoretical values of wave power are obtained for sites close to the coast and in particular for the two tests sites of Galway and Belmullet.

Characterizing the near shore wave energy resource on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 ◽  
pp. 665-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryson R.D. Robertson ◽  
Clayton E. Hiles ◽  
Bradley J. Buckham
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Vancouver Island ◽  
The West ◽  
Near Shore

Location Targeting for Wave Energy Deployment From an Operation and Maintenance Perspective

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrián D. de Andrés ◽  
Raúl Guanche ◽  
César Vidal ◽  
Íñigo J. Losada
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Great Effort ◽  
Failure Rates ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
North West ◽  
High Resource ◽  
Operation And Maintenance

When looking for a location for a wave energy converter (WEC) installation, developers usually look for sites with high or very high wave energy resource. From this perspective, countries like Scotland or Ireland have made great effort to include this energy source in their energy mix due to their expected high untapped potential. However, higher resource carries marine operation restrictions. Because of that, the selection of a site for a WEC deployment, the installation, operation and maintenance factors have to be considered from the beginning. In this work an analysis of the suitable locations for the development of wave energy is performed based on the operation and maintenance (O&M) parameters. This study is performed across the globe coastlines taking the met-ocean climate data from Reguero et al (2011) global reanalysis database (GOW) developed at IH Cantabria. Firstly, an analysis of the global availability and accessibility levels is performed all around the globe taking different wave height thresholds into account. Seven specific locations (North-West Denmark, West of Ireland, Chile, North of Spain, West Portugal, South-West Australia and North of Scotland) with high interest on wave energy have been further analyzed and compared. Secondly, the O&M access limits are quantified in terms of the weather windows and the waiting period between available weather windows. A statistical analysis of these parameters is performed within different weather windows lengths (6 h, 12 h and 24 h). The seasonality of these parameters is also analyzed. Finally, a failure analysis will be carried out, simulating the repair operation along the lifecycle of the device for different failure rates and waiting times. The affection of this failure and repair scheme over the power production of a device analyzed previously in Andres et al (2014) will be presented. In this study, some locations with high resource (Spain, Nova Scotia) lead to medium to high accessibilities/availabilities due to the balance between resource and persistence of the weather conditions. Some locations with high resource such as Chile or Australia resulted inaccessible during very long periods of time due to the persistence of severe conditions and then not very recommended for novel converters with uncertain failure rates.

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.

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