Evaluating the gravity wave energy potential off the Brazilian coast

O potencial energético de ondas na costa Brasileira é estimado usando dados de boia in-situ e de modelo numérico. Os resultados mostram um maior potencial na costa sul-sudeste do que na costa nordeste, mas também uma maior variância. Estas diferenças parecem se relacionar com os diferentes regimes de vento nas regiões. Enquanto na porção nordeste os ventos alísios determinam o regime de ventos, a passagem de frentes frias na porção sul desempenha um papel significativo. Para quase todas as regiões e durante todo o ano, o potencial energético de ondas varia entre 10 e 30 kW/m, o intervalo mais adequado para a instalação de conversores de energia. Os estados de mar são, também, analisados, mostrando que a passagem de frentes frias na região sul e sudeste também cria diferentes regimes de ondas. Finalmente, os estados de mar e fluxos de energia mais comuns são estimados, mostrando uma mudança para ondas mais longas e com maiores períodos para o último. Na costa sul-sudeste, embora o estado de mar mais comum seja de ondas com períodos de pico de 8 s, o fluxo de energia é bastante balanceado entre estas ondas e ondas com período de pico de 11 s, que são, normalmente, geradas por frentes frias. Este resultado mostra que o estado de mar mais comum não é, necessariamente, o que deveria ser considerado no planejamento de conversores de energia na região.The wave energy potential on the Brazilian coast is estimated using in-situ buoy data and model data. The results present a greater potential on the southern-southeastern coast than on the northeastern coast, but the variance is also larger. These seem to be associated with the different atmospheric regimes. While in the northeastern portion the trade winds determine the wave regime, in the south the passage of cold front systems plays a major role. For almost all regions and throughout the year, the energy potential oscillates between 10 and 30 kW/m, the most efficient range to implement wave energy converters. The occurrence of sea states is also assessed, showing that the passage of cold front systems also creates different sea states in the S-SW area. Finally, the most common sea states and energy flux are estimated, showing a shift towards longer periods and higher waves for the latter. On the S-SW coast, although the most frequent sea states have waves with periods around 8 s, the energy flux has a more balanced distribution between these and the waves with periods around 11s, the common period for waves generated by cold front systems. This result shows that the most common sea state is not necessarily the one that should be considered when planning wave energy converters for the region

Evaluating the gravity wave energy potential off the Brazilian coast

Abstract The wave energy potential on the Brazilian coast is estimated using in-situ buoy data and model data. The results present a greater potential on the southern-southeastern coast than on the northeastern coast, but the variance is also larger. These seem to be associated with the different atmospheric regimes. While in the northeastern portion the trade winds determine the wave regime, in the south the passage of cold front systems plays a major role. For almost all regions and throughout the year, the energy potential oscillates between 10 and 30 kW/m, the most efficient range to implement wave energy converters. The occurrence of sea states is also assessed, showing that the passage of cold front systems also creates different sea states in the S-SW area. Finally, the most common sea states and energy flux are estimated, showing a shift towards longer periods and higher waves for the latter. On the S-SW coast, although the most frequent sea states have waves with periods around 8 s, the energy flux has a more balanced distribution between these and the waves with periods around 11s, the common period for waves generated by cold front systems. This result shows that the most common sea state is not necessarily the one that should be considered when planning wave energy converters for the region

Strategic scenarios for maritime spatial planning in an European outermost region—The case of the Azores

Highlights: • Importance of experts and stakeholders in the process of scenarios-building. • Experts’ key role refining objectives, framing scenarios and developing storylines. • A balanced statements selection reflects the composition of stakeholder categories. • Stakeholders provide relevant and unique contribution for the final outcome. • Geographic isolation of the islands shapes the results of scenarios and storylines. • Participatory scenarios-building results in formulation of policy recommendations. Abstract: The Maritime Spatial Planning process plans towards a desired future (Vision/Goal). Such vision is usually an integration of various aspirations from different stakeholders and sectors that depend on the related policy/governance framework. In this sense, a tool such as scenario-building is of paramount importance to MSP once it helps decision-makers visualize the future that might unfold due to specific the actions/policies needed to make such a future more likely to happen. Along these lines, this work presents the methodology and results of the scenario building process developed and applied in the Macaronesia Maritime Spatial Planning (MarSP) project, for the Autonomous Region of Azores. The methodology is structured in four main steps: (i) setting MSP objectives based on policy review and following stakeholders’ inputs; (ii) identifying key objectives after consultation with regional experts; (iii) developing scenario storylines; and (iv) balancing across scenarios based on feedback from stakeholders’ engagement. Three main pre-established scenarios were developed, balancing the pillars of sustainable development, namely: “Blue Society,” “Blue Growth”, and “Blue Development”. In a consultative and participatory process, the three scenarios were later modified and validated, integrating the preferences of stakeholders, being the most voted (preferred) scenario “Blue Development”. Results highlight the importance of applying a participatory approach to scenario building in MSP to understand the preferences and expectations of different stakeholders. The methodology can be relevant and adjustable to other regions, tailored to specific settings, in support of decision making towards an adaptive MSP process

Expert knowledge-based co-development of scenarios for maritime spatial planning in the Northeast Atlantic

Scenarios constitute narratives or storylines that reasonably describe how the future is likely to unfold. The usefulness of scenarios in Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is now recognised within policy and research, with many institutions urging the development of likely trajectories in the future state of the marine environment and space. However, little progress exists in the actual development and application of actual scenario building approaches. This paper presents the methodology and results of such an approach developed within the framework of the “Geographical and Political Scenarios in Maritime Spatial Planning for the Azores and North Atlantic (GPS Azores)” project. A scenario-building approach for MSP in the area is developed and future scenarios’ storylines are formulated through the active engagement of regional experts. Outcomes from the analysis enable identifying the major risks and opportunities in the management and use of marine space and key maritime sectors, under different scenarios. Three storylines are developed representing distinct trajectories in the use and governance of marine space: (i) Nature at Work; (ii) Business-as-usual; and (iii) Blue Development. Final storylines are the outcome of intense experts’ engagement throughout the scenario-building exercise, stressing the usefulness of such participative approaches. Results can assist policymakers in the context of an adaptive and participatory MSP approach. The methodology can be tailored to other regions, while results can be revisited and adapted as new information and knowledge emerge.The study was conducted in the framework of the Geographical and Political Scenarios in Maritime Spatial Planning for the Azores and North Atlantic (GPS Azores) project (Ref: ACCORES-01-0145-FEDER-002 GPS Azores), financed by FEDER (85%) and with funds from the Azores 2020 Operational Programme (15%). The authors would like to thank Mike Phillips who provided input in an early version of the scenario-building exercise.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio