Offshore Wind and Wave Energy Complementarity in the Greek Seas Based on ERA5 Data

Kimon Kardakaris,Ifigeneia Boufidi,Takvor Soukissian

doi:10.3390/atmos12101360

Kimon Kardakaris, Ifigeneia Boufidi + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12101360

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Abstract

In this work, 20 years (2000–2019) of ERA5 wave and wind data are analyzed and evaluated for the Greek Seas by means of in-situ measurements derived from the POSEIDON marine monitoring system. Four different statistical measures were used at six locations, where in-situ wind and wave measurements are available from oceanographic buoys. Furthermore, the ERA5 wind and wave datasets were utilized for the estimation of the available wind and wave energy potential for the Greek Seas, as well as for the assessment of complementarity and synergy between the two resources. In this respect, an event-based approach was adopted. The spatial distribution of the available wind and wave energy potential resembles qualitatively and quantitatively the distributions derived from other reanalysis datasets. Locations with high synergy and complementarity indices were identified taking into account water depth. Finally, taking into consideration a particular offshore wind turbine power curve and the power matrix of the PELAMIS wave energy converter, the estimation of the combined energy potential on a mean annual basis is performed.

Highlights

IntroductionThis, in combination with the decline of fossil fuels, makes the need for renewable energy more urgent than ever
Over recent decades, the global demand for energy has been rapidly increasing
The Greek Seas are characterized by a remarkable offshore wind power potential; the main objective of this paper was to identify favorable locations for collocating hybrid offshore wind and wave energy systems

Summary

Introduction

This, in combination with the decline of fossil fuels, makes the need for renewable energy more urgent than ever. The marine environment is a vast source of renewable energy. Among the marine renewable energy (MRE) technologies, the most mature in terms of technological development and large-scale deployment is offshore wind energy [1]. The main advantage the marine environment offers, regarding offshore wind turbines, is that the offshore winds are generally stronger and less variable, allowing operation at maximum capacity for a larger percentage of the time. Among the other forms of MRE, the exploitation of wave energy is promising in areas with relatively calm wave climates, characterized by intermediate levels of power availability like the Mediterranean Sea [5]. It is usually considered that wave energy has some particular advantages such as small energy loss, better predictability, and higher energy density; see, for example [6,7,8]

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Conclusion