Wave atlas of French Polynesia – Application on wave energy integration into the electrical mix

A new wave energy atlas database for French Polynesia

A wave reanalysis was carried out over the whole French Polynesian ZEE, using Météo-France's MFWAM model at 0.05° resolution, derived from the WAM model with a spatial resolution of 5 km, a three-hourly step, and a temporal depth of 30 years. These results have been published on the ODATIS open data platform.

Compared with existing reanalysis, the islands are better modelled, and it leads to better estimates of wave conditions and propagation.

It has been applied to wave energy evaluation over the whole French Polynesia.

Simulating the integration of 10 MW wave energy in Tahiti: challenges and opportunities

Sea state data from the atlas were used as input for simulating the production of 10 MW wave energy through several systems. These simulations were carried out for integration into the Tahitian power grid at several injection points and considering existing and planned renewable energies plants.

Over the same past time period, the island's electricity mix was modelled, showing the complementarity of wave energy with the other renewable energies found on the island, in particular photovoltaics and hydropower.

Tahiti presents (as in 2022) an electrical mix of 64% Oil, 29% Hydro, 7% PV (including roofs and plants connected to the Grid). New PV plants + batteries are studied by local stakeholders for the next years, involving other types of issues (land & recycling).

Our work highlights the advantages and challenges of integrating wave energy into the grid and raises the question of the methodology's replicability on other islands.