Abstract
A detailed review of wave energy resource assessment and the state-of-the-art of deployed wave energy converters (WECs) in real environmental conditions in the Mediterranean Sea have been analysed in this study. The installed power of the several deployed WECs in the Mediterranean Sea varies between 3–2500 kW. Ten project cases of deployed WECs in the basin are presented, with their analysis of the essential features. Five different types of WEC have already been tested under real environmental conditions in Italy, Greece, Israel and Gibraltar, with Italy being the Mediterranean country with the most deployed WECs. The main questions of the relevant studies were the ongoing trends, the examination of WECs in combination with other renewable sources, the utilising of WECs for desalination, and the prospects of wave energy in the Mediterranean islands and ports. This paper is the first comprehensive study that overviews the recent significant developments in the wave energy sector in the Mediterranean countries. The research concludes that the advances of the wave energy sector in the Mediterranean Sea are significant. However, in order to commercialise WECs and wave energy exploitation to become profitable, more development is necessary.
Highlights
The current European Union target to accomplish climate neutrality by 2050 and the new European Union Climate Law for decline of greenhouse gas emissions at least 55% until 2030 in comparison with 1990 levels, have led scientific research more intensively to alternative sustainable energy sources [1]
This paper aims to highlight the significant developments of the wave energy sector in the Mediterranean by reviewing the main recent research findings
Mediterranean wave energy potential is characterised by low wave power density compared to the Atlantic coasts [15]
Summary
The current European Union target to accomplish climate neutrality by 2050 and the new European Union Climate Law for decline of greenhouse gas emissions at least 55% until 2030 in comparison with 1990 levels, have led scientific research more intensively to alternative sustainable energy sources [1]. Wave energy is an endless and sustainable source that can make coastal countries less energy-dependent and provide essential benefits [9]. Cornett [12] evaluated the seasonal and monthly variability globally and proved that the wave energy potential is considerable in some areas. In Europe, most research projects are located on the Atlantic coast, such as the coasts of the United Kingdom, Portugal and Ireland [14] due to the high wave energy flux that characterise these regions. The Mediterranean is a semi-enclosed sea, with a medium wave energy power compared with the Atlantic coasts. According to Besio et al [6], several researchers have already attempted to evaluate the wave energy potential of areas with lower energy flux than open seas
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