Wave characteristic analysis and wave energy resource evaluation in the China Sea

Abstract

This study presents the characteristics of the China Sea wave energy resource and wave climate for the period August 1999 to July 2009, using a 10-yr hindcast wave data obtained from WAVEWATCH-III (WW3) numerical wave model forced with QuikSCAT/NCEP (QN) wind data. Results show that: (1) The China Sea wave field has significant seasonal differences, especially the South China Sea which is obviously affected by the monsoon. In JJA (June, July, August), the dominant wave direction is south to southwest. In DJF (December, January, February), the dominant wave direction is north to northeast. The Luzon Strait is the relative large center of significant wave height in DJF (2.4–2.8 m), SON (September, October, November) (2.0–2.4 m), and MAM (March, April, May) (1.0–1.4 m), while the southeast area of the Indo-China Peninsula is the large center in JJA (1.2–1.6 m). (2) The rough sea occurrence in the China Sea is relative low, of below 14% in each season. The relative high occurrence happened in DJF, followed by the SON, lowest in MAM. (3) The extreme wave height with return period of 20 yr in the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, low latitude of the South China Sea is below 8 m. The large areas mainly distribute in the middle latitude. The distribution of extreme wave height with return period of 30 yr is similar and about 2 m larger than that with return period of 20 yr. (4) We find the China Sea wave power increases gradually from MAM to DJF. The Luzon Strait is the relative large region of wave power in DJF (30–40 kW/m), SON (21–27 kW/m), and MAM (6–10 kW/m), while the southeast area of the Indo-China Peninsula is the large center in JJA (6–11 kW/m). (5) The stability of the China Sea wave power exhibits obvious regional and seasonal differences. The wave power is the most stable in DJF. The wave power in the north area of the South China and East Sea is apparently more stable than that in other sea areas, in the offshore is more stable than that in the near shore. (6) Judging from the value and stability of wave power, we find that the relative rich-energy region locates in the Luzon Strait and adjacent waters in DJF, SON, and MAM, while in the southeast area of the Indo-China Peninsula in JJA.