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Publications
Bento, A.R., Maritnho, P., and Guedes Soares, C. (2015), “Wave energy resource assessment for Northern Spain from a 13-year hindcast”, Renewable Energies Offshore, Guedes Soares, C. (Ed.), 2015, Taylor & Francis Group, London, UK, pp. 63-69
In order to assess the wave energy potential along the Northern Coast of Spain, two state-of-the-art spectral models, WAVEWATCH III and SWAN, were coupled to obtain 13 years (2000-2012) of ocean wave parameters and wave power results. Winds from the ECMWF’s ERA Interim data base were used. In previous studies, the simulated data were directly validated with buoy measurements and statistical results were obtained to evaluate the performance of the wave hindcast system developed. Here, the objective is to evaluate the wave energy potential using the results formerly validated. Theoretical values of wave power were estimated and its spatial distribution was assessed. A study of its seasonal variability was performed, analyzing the different seasons as well as the annual cycle of the mean wave power, averaged over all the 13 simulated years. The variability of the wave resource is considerable, whether in time or space. Mean wave energy values were found to reach over 60 kW/m nearshore, in the wintertime, and in the summer they range between 20 and 40kW/m. The Bay of Biscay also seems to influence the magnitude of the wave energy values on the northeast coast of Spain. Very high values of wave energy, over 100kW/m, have a very low probability of occurrence.
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