Effects of metocean conditions on selecting optimal location for wave energy production

Abstract

Wave Energy Converters (WEC) have seen a wide variety of innovations capable to harness the vast untapped energy source of the seas. This wide range of WECs often has varied applicability and power production capabilities, making the selection of a device overwhelming. These uncertainties are increased when considering the interactions and suitability of the device with local metocean conditions, and the impacts to longterm reliable operation. The study focuses on the Mediterranean region and presents a comprehensive approach in selecting a WEC, using a novel Selection Index for Wave Energy Deployments (SIWED), which accounts for resource, extreme events, power production capabilities, reducing uncertainties and biases. As a case study our approach explores: (i) the viability of WECs at milder resource (ii) the use of SIWED to select the “optimal” location and (iii) an approach to optimise considering the multi-faceted resource impacts. The study provides a comprehensive assessment of the “hidden” benefits of wave energy in the Mediterranean and its methodology is universally replicable. Finally, a discussion and overview on the importance of this interdisciplinary method for WEC deployments is underlined.