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7 th International Scientific Conference on “Energy and Climate Change” 8-10 October 2014 Athens, Greece. Investigating The Opportunities For Wave Energy In The Aegean Sea. George Lavidas. g.lavidas@ed.ac.uk. Content. 1. Introduction 2. Wave Energy Numerical Modelling
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7th International Scientific Conference on “Energy and Climate Change” 8-10 October 2014 Athens, Greece Investigating The Opportunities For Wave Energy In The Aegean Sea George Lavidas g.lavidas@ed.ac.uk
Content • 1. Introduction • 2. Wave Energy • Numerical Modelling • SWAN(Simulating Waves Nearshore) • 3. Area of Investigation • Validation of Hindcast • 4. Wave Energy Opportunities • Applications
1.Introduction • Greece is a Mediterranean country with abundant Renewable Energy (RE) resource. • Currently Photovoltaic, solar thermal, onshore wind and hydro account for the RE penetration. • In 2012 almost 13.8% of energy production
Aegean Characteristics • Greece offers many coastline areas. • Number of naval infrastructure in existence in most locations. • Many island complexes. • Islands are isolated from the centralized grid. • Energy is comprised mostly by oil imports and thermal stations. • Increased cost of energy is subsidized by the State.
2.Wave Energy • Waves pose a potential for the decentralization and energy production, in remote and island areas. • Resource assessment and identification of highly energetic areas is required. • Buoys offer some information of the wave environment.
Numerical Modelling • Most devices are to be located nearshore (depth <150m). • The absence and scarcity of buoys, make the assessment difficult. • Numerical wave models can substitute the procedure, if calibrated and set up correctly.
SWAN (Simulating Waves Nearshore) • Is a third generation numerical model, resolving the wave kinematic action balance equation in a implicit way. • Improved physical terms for nearshore applications. • Allows different spectra to be resolved.
3. Area of Investigation Aegean Sea, hindcast 2010 A nested run was performed, Aegean Sea resolution is 0.025x0.025 degrees. All shallow water physical terms activated and calibrated accordingly. JONSWAP spectrum considered for wave generation and propagation.
Validation of hindcast • Using multiple Indexes enhances the validation process. • Hindcsast was compared with 3-hr data buoy intervals. • High reliability of hindcast by SWAN
Significant wave height validation Peak Period validation
4. Opportunities for wave energy • Highest potential of wave energy can be identified through the results. • Summer months present the lowest power capacity.
Applications • Wave energy devices can be coupled with local RE sources and especially wind. • Due to the nature of the resource, waves and wind complement each other. • This can lead to multiple platforms utilization. • Employment and infrastructure opportunities. • Desalination plants can also benefit from wave devices. • Reduction of oil usage in island energy production. • Overall diversification of the energy mix. • Reduction of the economic cost for remote islands.
THANK YOU Acknowledgments: • EPSRC for the research grant • Dr. Vengatesan Venugopal • Dr. Daniel Friedrich