Optimal strategies of deployment of far offshore co-located wind-wave energy farms

Abstract

The most profitable offshore energy resources are usually found away from the coast. Nevertheless, the accessibility and grid integration in those areas are more complicated. To avoid this problematic, large scale hydrogen production is being promoted for far offshore applications. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the ability of wave energy converters to maximize hydrogen production in hybrid wind and wave far offshore farms. To that end, wind and wave resource data are obtained from ERA5 for different locations in the Atlantic ocean and a Maximum Covariance Analysis is proposed for the selection of the most representative locations. Furthermore, the suitability of different sized wave energy converters for auxiliary hydrogen production in the far offshore wind farms is also analysed. On that account, the hydrodynamic parameters of the oscillating bodies are obtained via simulations with a Boundary Element Method based code and their operation is modelled using the software tool Matlab. The combination of both methodologies enables to perform a realistic assessment of the contribution of the wave energy converters to the hydrogen generation of an hybrid energy farm, especially during those periods when the wind turbines would be stopped due to the variability of the wind. The obtained results show a considerable hydrogen generation capacity of the wave energy converters, up to 6.28% of the wind based generation, which could remarkably improve the efficiency of the far offshore farm and bring important economical profit. Wave energy converters are observed to be most profitable in those farms with low covariance between wind and waves, where the disconnection times of the wind turbines are prone to be more prolonged but the wave energy is still usable. In such cases, a maximum of 101.12 h of equivalent rated production of the wind turbine has been calculated to be recovered by the wave energy converters.

A prospect theory extension of data envelopment analysis model for wave‐wind energy site selection in New Zealand

“…Although the exploitation of offshore wind and wave renewable energy has enormous potential for development, this type of combination also presents many obstacles and high risks for offshore equipment installation, costs maintenance, and operation. After much effort and integration of various methods, a method to optimize the WWL cost of the researchers was also found (Gao et al, 2022; Saenz‐Aguirre et al, 2022). The main aim of wave and wind energy integration studies is to minimize costs and maximize the productivity of offshore stations.…”

“…After much effort and integration of various methods, a method to optimize the WWL cost of the researchers was also found (Gao et al, 2022;Saenz-Aguirre et al, 2022). The main aim of wave and wind energy integration studies is to minimize costs and maximize the productivity of offshore stations.…”

Assessment of combined wind and wave energy in the tropical cyclone affected region:An application in China seas

“…In general, the wind and wave are evaluated separately in those studies. As the wave condition is closely related to the local wind, it is worth studying the distribution of combined wind and wave energy together, which could provide a practical guidance for the design of integrated wind and wave energy converters and co-located wind-wave energy farms [30]. More recently, assessment of the combined wind and wave energy have been seen to arouse attention.…”

“…The correlation coefficient of wind and wave energy resources were analyzed, and the exploitation suggestions were given. Also, several studies about the layout of windwave farms are conducted [30,34]. In China, Wang et al [35] assessed the wind and wave energy in the South China Sea based on 30-year hindcast data using WRF atmospheric model and WWIII wave model, focusing on the seasonal and monthly distribution.…”

Wind Variation near the Black Sea Coastal Areas Reflected by the ERA5 Dataset

“…More than this, the authors suggest that an onshore project located close to a forest area may represent a better alternative, if the onshore areas are limited and if the offshore costs are very high. Nevertheless, a marine site may provide multiple advantages, ranging from the development of hybrid projects [7] or suitability for coastal protection [8], with this being viewed as the best option for the expansion of the wind sector.…”