Assessing the Global Wave Energy Potential

Abstract

In this paper the evaluation of the global wave energy potential is presented based on data from a global wind-wave model (validated and calibrated against satellite altimeter data) and buoy data (the WorldWaves database). The theoretical potential was computed first using all the available wave data and, in a second step, areas in which the power level is very low (P≤5kW/m) were excluded. Finally, in the third step, areas impacted by sea ice were removed. Annual and seasonal power distributions are presented both in tables and maps. The technical resource was also assessed for the west coast of Iberian peninsula showing a significant power decrease from north to south within only 500 km.