Abstract
Abstract. An analysis of wave energy along the coasts of Sicily (Italy) is presented with the aim of selecting possible sites for the implementation of wave energy converters (WECs). The analysis focuses on the selection of hotspot areas of energy concentration. A third-generation model was adopted to reconstruct the wave data along the coast over a period of 14 years. The reconstruction was performed using the wave and wind data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. The analysis of wave energy allowed us to characterise the most energetic zones, which are located on the western side of Sicily and on the Strait of Sicily. Moreover, the estimate of the annual wave power on the entire computational domain identified eight interesting sites. The main features of the sites include relatively high wave energy and proximity to the coast, which makes them possible sites for the implementation of WEC farms.
Highlights
Renewable energy supplies 20 % of the total world’s energy demand, and this percentage continues to grow (IEA, 2014)
The analysis focuses on the selection of hotspot areas of energy concentration
The main features of the sites include relatively high wave energy and proximity to the coast, which makes them possible sites for the implementation of wave energy converters (WECs) farms
Summary
Renewable energy supplies 20 % of the total world’s energy demand, and this percentage continues to grow (IEA, 2014). The grid resolution of the wave model is too large to select suitable sites for locating wave energy converters; it is necessary to use advanced numerical codes that allow the wave propagation in intermediate-depth and shallow waters to be appropriately modelled The use of such a model allows for the selection of sites, called hotspots (Iglesias and Carballo, 2010b), where energy is concentrated due to wave transformation phenomena, such as wave refraction. In this framework, starting with a large set of offshore wave and wind data, the present paper discusses results related to estimating nearshore potential wave energy around the coast of Sicily.
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