Evaluating the Synergy of Wind and Wave Energy in European Coastal Regions using Satellite Altimetry data

In this research, we present a comprehensive analysis of the combined potential of wind and wave energy across various European coastal locations. Our primary aim is to explore the viability of leveraging satellite altimetry for assessing the potential of wind and wave energy synergies on the European shelf. This exploration is driven by the premise that integrating wind and wave energy sources could significantly reduce the variability in energy supply. Our methodology employs the homogenized, multi-mission altimeter dataset provided by the European Space Agency's Sea State Climate Change Initiative (Sea_State_cci). This dataset spans 26 years, from January 1991 to December 2018, offering an extensive temporal and spatial coverage for estimating wind and wave power densities at various sites.

To calculate wave power density, we utilize an empirical model that derives the wave energy period from the altimeter's Ku-band significant wave height and radar backscatter coefficient. Our findings indicate a notable correlation between wind and wave energy in the Mediterranean, in contrast to the North Atlantic locations. Consequently, the Western North Atlantic seems to be the most promising region for combined wind and wave energy farms, considering the benefits of simultaneous exploitation.

The study also reveals interesting patterns in the relationship between the variability and average wave power across different sites, a critical factor for any marine renewable energy strategy. Notably, we observe that the overall variability in energy supply tends to decrease with an increase in average wave power, primarily because the more powerful swell waves exhibit a lower correlation with local wind conditions. This insight is pivotal for understanding the dynamics of marine renewable energy sources and optimizing their exploitation.