Wave Energy Resource Assessment off the Coast of China around the Zhoushan Islands

Yong Wan,Ligang Li,Weifeng Sun,Yongshou Dai,Jing Wang,Peng Zhou,Junmin Meng,Xudong Zhang,Chenqing Fan,Jie Zhang

doi:10.3390/en10091320

Abstract

Based on ERA-Interim reanalysis wave field data for the 36 years from 1979 to 2014, the temporal and spatial distributions and development potential of wave energy are studied in detail in the offshore and relatively nearshore waters adjacent to the Zhoushan Islands. The results show that areas of relatively high wave energy are located in the offshore waters to the east and southeast of the Zhoushan Islands. The potential wave energy in relatively nearshore waters (water depths from 10 m to 65 m) is relatively higher and especially in the nearshore waters to the southeast of the city of Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, which are suitable locations for wave energy development. The conclusions provide scientific guidance for wave energy development in the sea areas adjacent to the Zhoushan Islands.

Highlights

Ongoing social and economic development is increasing the demand for energy
The results showed that wave energy is relatively weak in the sea areas adjacent to the Zhoushan Islands compared with global ocean, for the most part weak the 10
The dominant wave conditions all had an Hs value of 0.5–4.0 m and a Te value of 4–9 s, and the wave energy accounted for 85% of the total wave energy density; which can be a uniform standard for the design of new wave energy converters (WECs) that are suitable for these local areas

Summary

Introduction

Ongoing social and economic development is increasing the demand for energy. The energy supply problems arising from a shortage of conventional fossil energy and the pollution problems resulting from the overuse of conventional fossil energy are intensifying. Wave energy is a type of clean and renewable energy that does not produce carbon dioxide. The development of wave energy can effectively ease the energy crisis and environmental pollution, but before the development of wave energy, the reserves and the temporal and spatial distributions of wave energy in interesting areas must be reliably assessed. Many wave energy assessment studies have been conducted in different countries with respect to global sea areas and large-scale sea areas in different regions. Cornett [1] investigated global wave energy resources based on a third-generation model, Wave Watch III (WAVEWATCH-III)

Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion