Impact of Air–Wave–Sea Coupling on the Simulation of Offshore Wind and Wave Energy Potentials

Lichuan Wu,Erik Sahlée,Mingming Shao

doi:10.3390/atmos11040327

Abstract

Offshore wind and wave energy potentials are commonly simulated by atmosphere and wave stand-alone models, in which the Atmosphere–Wave–Ocean (AWO) dynamical coupling processes are neglected. Based on four experiments (simulated by UU-CM, Uppsala University-Coupled model) with four different coupling configurations between atmosphere, waves, and ocean, we found that the simulations of the wind power density (WPD) and wave potential energy (WPE) are sensitive to the AWO interaction processes over the North and Baltic Seas; in particular, to the atmosphere–ocean coupling processes. Adding all coupling processes can change more than 25% of the WPE but only less than 5% of the WPD in four chosen coastal areas. The impact of the AWO coupling processes on the WPE and WPD changes significantly with the distance off the shoreline, and the influences vary with regions. From the simulations used in this study, we conclude that the AWO coupling processes should be considered in the simulation of WPE and WPD.

Highlights

In a warming global climate, more extreme weather events are expected to occur, such as super hurricanes, extreme precipitation events, and flooding
We focus on the impact of AWO coupling processes on the simulation of wind and wave energy potentials
The mean wind power density (WPD) and wave potential energy (WPE) in January and July 2015 are shown in the subplots a and e of Figures 5 and 6, respectively

Summary

Introduction

In a warming global climate, more extreme weather events are expected to occur, such as super hurricanes, extreme precipitation events, and flooding. To reduce the greenhouse gas emission, renewable energy sources, such as wind and wave energy, are future alternatives to fossil fuels. Offshore wind and wave energy have attracted the attention of the scientific community and the energy industry due to their advantages [1,2]. Many offshore wind and wave farms have been (or plan to be) built around the world, in particular in Europe. A spatio-temporal energy resource assessment is one of the most critical steps before implementing wave energy converters or constructing wind turbines. The numerical simulation is an important tool for the energy resource assessment and provides valuable information for the wind/wave farm site chosen as well as their daily operation. Many studies have shown that the Atmosphere–Wave–Ocean (AWO) interaction processes are essential for the wind and wave simulations [7]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion