2.4 Global Wave Energy Distribution

Wave energy distribution across the globe varies due to wind patterns, ocean depth, and coastal features. Higher latitudes generally have more energetic waves, while coastal effects can concentrate or dissipate energy. Understanding these factors is crucial for harnessing ocean power effectively.

Key hotspots for wave energy include west coasts of continents in mid-latitudes and certain islands. These areas offer prime locations for wave energy extraction. Seasonal changes and climate phenomena like El Niño also impact wave patterns, affecting potential energy output throughout the year.

Global Wave Energy Distribution

Factors Influencing Global Wave Energy Potential

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• Global wave energy potential varies significantly across different regions of the world's oceans
  • Influenced by a combination of wind patterns, ocean bathymetry, and coastal topography
• Latitudinal dependence plays a crucial role in determining wave energy distribution
  • Higher latitudes (40°-60°) generally experience more energetic wave climates due to stronger and more consistent wind patterns (Westerlies)
  • Lower latitudes (0°-30°) typically have less energetic wave climates, with the exception of areas affected by trade winds or monsoons (Indian Ocean)
• Coastal effects can greatly influence local wave energy potential
  • Sheltered coastlines or those with complex bathymetry may experience reduced wave energy compared to exposed, deep-water locations
  • Refraction, diffraction, and shoaling processes can concentrate or dissipate wave energy near the shore

Global Wave Energy Hotspots

• Hotspots are regions with exceptionally high wave energy potential, offering the most promising locations for wave energy extraction
• The west coasts of continents in the mid-latitudes are known for their substantial wave energy resources
  • Examples include the west coasts of Europe (Scotland, Ireland), North America (California, Oregon), South America (Chile), Africa (South Africa), and Australia (Southern Australia)
• Islands located in the path of prevailing winds and swells can also experience high wave energy levels
  • Examples include the Hawaiian Islands, Azores, and Canary Islands
• Coastal regions with exposure to long fetches (uninterrupted distances over which the wind can blow) tend to have higher wave energy potential
  • The Southern Ocean, which encircles Antarctica, is known for its powerful waves due to the vast, uninterrupted fetch and strong winds

Temporal Variability

Seasonal Variability and Wave Climate

• Wave energy resources exhibit significant seasonal variability, with changes in wave height, period, and direction throughout the year
• Seasonal variations are primarily driven by shifts in atmospheric circulation patterns and wind regimes
  • In the Northern Hemisphere, wave energy is generally higher during the winter months (December to February) due to increased storm activity and stronger winds
  • In the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite pattern occurs, with higher wave energy during the southern winter (June to August)
• Wave climate refers to the long-term average wave conditions in a specific region, considering factors such as wave height, period, and direction
  • Understanding the wave climate is crucial for the design and planning of wave energy converters and farms
  • Historical data, numerical models, and in-situ measurements are used to characterize the wave climate and assess the feasibility of wave energy projects

El Niño and La Niña Effects

• El Niño and La Niña are large-scale ocean-atmosphere climate phenomena that can significantly influence global wave energy distribution
• El Niño events are characterized by the warming of surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean, leading to changes in atmospheric circulation patterns
  • During El Niño years, wave energy potential may increase in certain regions (eastern Pacific) while decreasing in others (western Pacific) due to altered wind patterns and storm tracks
• La Niña events, on the other hand, are associated with cooler surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean and typically have the opposite effect on wave energy distribution compared to El Niño
  • La Niña years may enhance wave energy potential in the western Pacific while reducing it in the eastern Pacific
• Understanding the impacts of El Niño and La Niña on wave energy resources is important for long-term planning and forecasting of wave energy projects
  • Incorporating climate variability into resource assessments can help mitigate risks and optimize the performance of wave energy converters