Wave energy extraction in Scotland through an improved nearshore Wave Atlas

Abstract

Wave energy is expected to play an important role in the forthcoming yearsfor the de-carbonisation of Scottish and British electricity production. Thisstudy underlines the importance of resource assessment and attempts to improve the quantifiable wave power resource, with use of a validated numericalmodel. While levels of wave flux are high for an area that may not alwaysconstitute the best option for wave energy applications. In this study, along-term hindcast for the Scottish coastlines run from 2004-2014 (11 years)improving the existing wave maps and resource estimations. Spatial andphysical considerations of a third generation spectral model allow examinationat locations of immediate interest for the ocean energy community.Utilising numerical wave models of ner resolution allows for the detailedcoupling of potential wave energy converters (WECs) and site characterization.Such detail energy results allow for improved financial analysis thattake into account the severity of local resource and its energy potential