Integrated Wave and Offshore Wind Energy: Benefits and Challenges

Abstract

Offshore wind energy and wave energy are renewable energy sources that share the same marine environment. Collocating these systems can provide technical benefits through reduced power variability and wave loading. However, the extent of these effects differs between sites and regions. The regional differences in power variability of combined offshore wind and wave energy systems is investigated. Power output of wind, wave, and combined systems is modeled for sites throughout the US East Coast, US West Coast, and North Sea in Scotland. The effects of wind and wave loading on floating offshore wind turbines are also investigated to analyze how combined systems can decrease wave loading on floating offshore wind turbines. Comparing the power variability of combined systems across the US East Coast, US West Coast, and North Sea in Scotland indicates decreased variability of combined systems on the US West Coast and North Sea in Scotland but minimal effect on the US East Coast. Reduced power variability and wave loading can benefit combined offshore wind and wave energy systems, but these effects differ across regions.