Offshore Wind and Wave Energy Complementarity in the Greek Seas Based on ERA5 Data

In this work, 20 years (2000-2019) of ERA5 wave and wind data are analyzed and evaluated for the Greek Seas by means of in-situ measurements derived from the POSEIDON marine monitoring system. Four different statistical measures were used at six locations, where in-situ wind and wave measurements are available from oceanographic buoys. Furthermore, the ERA5 wind and wave datasets were utilized for the estimation of the available wind and wave energy potential for the Greek Seas, as well as for the assessment of complementarity and synergy between the two resources. In this respect, an event-based approach was adopted. The spatial distribution of the available wind and wave energy potential resembles qualitatively and quantitatively the distributions derived from other reanalysis datasets. Locations with high synergy and complementarity indices were identified taking into account water depth. Finally, taking into consideration a particular offshore wind turbine power curve and the power matrix of the PELAMIS wave energy converter, the estimation of the combined energy potential on a mean annual basis is performed.

Automated summary

This study analyzed and evaluated 20 years of ERA5 wave and wind data for the Greek Seas, using in-situ measurements from the POSEIDON marine monitoring system. Various statistical measures were employed at six locations to estimate wind and wave energy potential, as well as to assess complementarity and synergy between the two resources. The spatial distribution of energy potential was found to be qualitatively and quantitatively similar to other reanalysis datasets, with high synergy and complementarity indices identified based on water depth. Additionally, the combined energy potential on a mean annual basis was estimated using specific offshore wind turbine power curves and power matrices of wave energy converters like PELAMIS.