Wave energy resource of Brazil: An analysis from 35 years of ERA-Interim reanalysis data.

Rafael Luz Espindola,Alex Maurício Araújo,Vanesa Magar

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0183501

Rafael Luz Espindola, Alex Maurício Araújo + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0183501

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Abstract

This paper presents a characterization of the wave power resource and an analysis of the wave power output for three (AquaBuoy, Pelamis and Wave Dragon) different wave energy converters (WEC) over the Brazilian offshore. To do so it used a 35 years reanalysis database from the ERA-Interim project. Annual and seasonal statistical analyzes of significant height and energy period were performed, and the directional variability of the incident waves were evaluated. The wave power resource was characterized in terms of the statistical parameters of mean, maximum, 95th percentile and standard deviation, and in terms of the temporal variability coefficients COV, SV e MV. From these analyses, the total annual wave power resource available over the Brazilian offshore was estimated in 89.97 GW, with largest mean wave power of 20.63 kW/m in the southernmost part of the study area. The analysis of the three WEC was based in the annual wave energy output and in the capacity factor. The higher capacity factor was 21.85% for Pelamis device at the southern region of the study area.

Highlights

In recent decades, the world has been seeking to find environmentally sustainable energy solutions
From the information presented by the spectrum, it is possible to determine its main parameters, such as significant wave height, wave period, wave direction and directional spread of the local wave climate
As pointed out in [45], the correct knowledge of the local wave spectrum is an important factor in the selection of the most appropriate wave energy converters (WEC) type for a location

Summary

Introduction

The world has been seeking to find environmentally sustainable energy solutions. A great scientific effort in research on wind, solar, biomasses, wave and other renewable sources have been done. Several wave power assessments have been done since the 1960s. It can be cited as examples the works [1,2]. In Asia, the works [8,9] can be mentioned, in the Americas [10,11], in Oceania [12,13], in Africa [14] and in more than one continent [15,16]

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