Quantifying wave power and wave energy converter array production potential

Abstract

Global wave energy inventories show that the West Coast of Canada possesses one of the most energetic wave climates in the world, with an annual wave energy flux of 40–50kW/m at the continental shelf. With this wave climate there is an opportunity to generate significant quantities of electricity through wave energy conversion (WEC) technologies. However, detailed knowledge of both the temporal and spatial distribution of both wave climate and energy production characteristics are missing precursors to the development of this regional wave energy opportunity.To quantify the gross wave energy resource along the West Coast of Vancouver Island, and hence the feasibility of deploying WEC technologies, a detailed Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN) numerical wave propagation model was developed. The SWAN model encompasses 410,000km2, covers 1500km of the Western Canadian coastline and the resolution is optimised by water depth and proximity to areas of high wave energy flux. The SWAN model hindcasts wave conditions for the 10year period, at a 3h temporal resolution. Independent validation of the SWAN model indicates a 0.92 correlation coefficient for significant wave heights and 0.80 for average wave periods.To translate the gross resource data into electricity generation estimates, novel methods to reveal high priority WEC farm deployment locations were implemented. Using generic WEC performance metrics, theoretical wave farm outputs were synthesized over a decade long time scale. Regional WEC farms were shown capable to providing up to 139.92GWh of energy to the electrical grid annually. The seasonality of the WEC generated electricity correlates well with the load demand within the region.This updated understanding of the wave climate and wave power production opportunity in Western Canada provides the necessary data to electrical utilities and policy makers to assess the opportunity benefits and costs associated with future WEC industry in Canada.