Abstract
This study provides a first estimate of the offshore wind power potential along the Moroccan Atlantic shelf based on remotely sensed data. An in-depth knowledge of wind potential characteristics allows assessment of the offshore wind energy project. Based on consistent daily satellite data retrieved from the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) spanning the period from 2008 to 2017, the seasonal wind characteristics were statistically analyzed using the climatological Weibull distribution functions and an assessment of the Moroccan potential coastal wind energy resources was qualitatively analyzed across a range of sites likely to be suitable for possible exploitation. Also, an atlas of wind power density (WPD) at a height of 80 m was provided for the whole Moroccan coast. An examination of the bathymetrical conditions of the study area was carried out since bathymetry is among the primary factors that need to be examined with the wind potential during offshore wind project planning. The results were presented based on the average wind intensity and the prevailing direction, and also the wind power density was shown at monthly, seasonal and interannual time scale. The analysis indicated that the coastal wind regime of the southern area of Morocco has the greatest energy potential, with an average power density which can reach in some places a value around 450 W/m2 at heights of 10 m and 80 m above sea level (a.s.l) (wind turbine hub height) more particularly in the south of the country.
Highlights
We are currently experiencing a new era of climate change caused potentially by the use of traditional energy power-generating methods such as fossil fuels, which have a high environmental cost, both locally and globally [1,2,3].A global trend is currently observed in terms of demand and acceptability of efficient and renewable energy
The Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) data were processed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) utilizing measurements from ASCAT aboard the EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites)/METOP satellite at C-band
In order to ensure the reliability of the ASCAT product for the estimation of wind potential along the Moroccan shoreline, the Scatterometer winds from ASCAT were roughly compared with in situ data recorded over entire year 2018 at the Dakhla meteorological station by using the density plot
Summary
We are currently experiencing a new era of climate change caused potentially by the use of traditional energy power-generating methods such as fossil fuels, which have a high environmental cost, both locally and globally [1,2,3]. A global trend is currently observed in terms of demand and acceptability of efficient and renewable energy. These are already considered as a reliable alternative with regard to the negative impact. Several countries are already resolutely turned towards wind energy, which is the case of China, world leader with installed capacity of 237 GW, the USA by. Offshore wind has emerged as one of the most dynamic technologies in the energy system. In 2018, a total of 4.3 GW of new offshore wind capacity was completed.
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