WAVREP · WAVe Resource for Electrical Production

WAVe Resource for Electrical Production

The problem addressed is the acceleration of wave energy converters deployments by a "resource-to-production" optimization approach, that ensures higher energy production and reduction in Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCoE). To date, main considerations for deployments of wave energy are high energy regions. However, such regions are associated with high extreme potential and necessity for increased capital expenditure to ensure survival of the device. In addition, majority of coastlines is exposed to milder water that are often overlooked, leaving a big gap in the potential for development and acceleration of wave energy converters (WECs). Resolving this issue is of high importance and will have numerous positive benefits. Wave energy is vast untapped renewable energy resource, with higher energy density than wind and solar even at milder resource regions. Accelerating the application of WECs will lead to higher renewable energy generation, helping us to achieve the Paris 2015 Climate Accord and significantly decarbonize current energy systems. Multi-generation and use of all indigenous resources increases system resilience, reduces fossil fuels dependency and external imports. Wave energy can prompt the revitalization of small coastal communities by boosting local employment and increase EU job growth. The benefits from the development of a wave energy European industry will strengthen the export and technical capabilities, allowing for multiple levels of necessary jobs employed and contribute towards a sustainable future. Finally, the contribution of wave energy converters, as viable energy projects, will allow the reduction of variability that is a long-time problem of renewable production. This allows for the reduction of harmful Green-House-Gas (GHG) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions, hence improving the environmental footprint of our societies and contributing to cleaner water and air. The overall objective is to prove that a wave energy converter (WEC) are suitable at milder regions, and that if a correct methodology of development is followed, it will attain high energy production and can reduce LCoE due to lowered probabilities of harsh events. This main objective also will deliver additional sub-components that will address how to characterize the long-term wave energy resource, and identify suitable areas considering spatial technical, and environmental restrictions for WEC farms. How to optimally develop and deploy WEC farms based on dominant metocean conditions, and under the spatio-technical restrictions. Focus is also given to coastal communities at moderate resources, where the project assesses "true" cost of LCoE and quantifies the benefits.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union