Coastal protection of the Romanian nearshore throughout hybrid wave and offshore wind farms

Alina Raileanu,Liliana Rusu,Florin Onea,W Cui,E Rusu

doi:10.1051/e3scconf/20185101004

Abstract

The objective of the present work is to estimate the influence of several hybrid wind and wave farm configurations on the wave conditions reported in the vicinity of the Saint George coastal area, in the Romanian nearshore of the Black Sea. Based on the wave data coming from a climatological database (ERA20C) and also on in situ measurements, it was possible to identify the most relevant wave patterns, which will be further considered for assessment. The numerical simulations were carried out with the SWAN (Simulating Waves Nearshore) wave model, which may provide a comprehensive picture of the wave transformation in the presence of the marine farms. Although the impact of the wind farm is not visible from the spatial maps, from the analysis of the values corresponding to the reference points, it was noticed that a maximum variation of 2% may occur for several wave parameters.

Highlights

Romania is defined by numerous opportunities in terms of the renewable energy sources, from which it can be mentioned the hydropower and wind energy
There is a close connection between wind and waves, and during the recent years it was highlighted that the western part of the Black Sea seems to be defined by consistent marine conditions which can be extracted efficiently throughout wind and wave farms, or eventually throughout hybrid wind-wave projects [3,4,5]
If we discuss about the western part of the Black Sea it is more feasible to consider that an offshore wind farm has better chances to be developed first, being possible in this way to support the development of a pilot wave project

Summary

Introduction

Romania is defined by numerous opportunities in terms of the renewable energy sources, from which it can be mentioned the hydropower and wind energy. As for the wind energy (reported to 2014), it was estimated that almost 75 of the wind farms operates in Romania, most of the projects being implemented in the Dobrogea Plateau (78 %), which is an geographical area located close to the Black Sea [2]. If we consider the progress reported by the wave industry and the attractiveness of the wave power, it is expected that in the near future this source of energy will become more competitive, being possible to develop wave farms in enclosed basins (such as the Black Sea) defined by less energetic conditions than the ones reported in the ocean environments. If we discuss about the western part of the Black Sea it is more feasible to consider that an offshore wind farm has better chances to be developed first, being possible in this way to support the development of a pilot wave project

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion