Characterization of Wave Energy Potential for the Baltic Sea with Focus on the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone

Abstract

In this study, a third-generation wave model is used to examine the wave power resource for the Baltic Sea region at an unprecedented one-kilometer-scale resolution for the years 1998 to 2013. Special focus is given to the evaluation and description of wave field characteristics for the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone (SEEZ). It is carried out to provide a more detailed assessment of the potential of waves as a renewable energy resource for the region. The wave energy potential is largely controlled by the distance from the coast and the fetch associated with the prevailing dominant wave direction. The ice cover is also shown to significantly influence the wave power resource, especially in the most northern basins of the SEEZ. For the areas in focus here, the potential annual average wave energy flux reaches 45 MWh/m/year in the two sub-basins with the highest wave energies, but local variations are up to 65 MWh/m/year. The assessment provides the basis for a further detailed identification of potential sites for wave energy converters. An outlook is given for additional aspects studied within a broad multi-disciplinary project to assess the conditions for offshore wave energy conversion within the SEEZ.

Sea level variability in the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone and adjacent seawaters: influence on a point absorbing wave energy converter

“…H s has been estimated within the SWERM project (Strömstedt et al, 2017), and methods for modelling and hindcasting are described in Nilsson et al (2019). In the wave climate modelling, ice concentration below 30 % is considered icefree.…”

“…The percentage of time with ice concentration above 30 %, based on 35 years of ice data from 1980 to 2014 is mapped and presented in Strömstedt et al (2017). The difference in annual mean wave power estimates for ice-free conditions and ice-time-included statistics is mapped and presented by Nilsson et al (2019).…”

“…Ice-free average significant wave height, H s , in the SEEZ from a 16-year high-resolution model simulation from the SWERM project with methods described inStrömstedt et al (2017) andNilsson et al (2019).…”

Sea Level Variability in the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone and adjacent seawaters: Influence on a Point Absorbing Wave Energy Converter

“…Hs has been estimated within the SWERM-project (Strömstedt et al, 2017), and methods for modelling are described in Nilsson et al (2019). In the wave climate modelling ice concentration below 30 % is considered ice-free.…”

“…The percentage of time with ice concentration above 30 %, based on 35 years of ice data from 1980 to 2014, is mapped and presented in (Strömstedt et al, 2017). The difference in annual mean wave power estimates for ice-free conditions and icetime-included statistics is mapped and presented by Nilsson et al (2019).…”