Developing a novel method for predicting nearshore and offshore wave energy of the portuguese western coast using DELFT3D

Abstract

This thesis is an investigation of wave power resources in the Portuguese western coast, focusing on the spatial distribution of wave power of coastal region exposed to the highest wave power. The main objective of the study is to provide a detailed description of the spatial distribution of wave power to assist the selection of locations for deployment of Wave Energy Converter (WEC) units in these zones. The study methodology employed to achieve this main objective entails an analysis of modeled wave data at nine wave stations distributed along the Portuguese western coast. The analysis provided a general description of wave power at locations for which wave data is calculated. From this analysis the location exposed to the highest wave power and the one with the most frequent waves were discovered. The study objective was achieved by the Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN) model embedded in Delft3D software package with the help of Delft-Dashboard software. The ocean wave data were obtained for a 25-day computational period. A simplified simulation procedure was required in order to make the study practically feasible. The accuracy of the modeled output was investigated by directly comparing it to wave data recorded during the overlapping recording period. It was found that the model slightly underestimated the wave power compared to the measured data with a maximum underestimation of 11%; which is sufficiently accurate for the purpose of this study. The results of this investigation alongside the new method discussed in this thesis can be used for the identification of areas with high wave power concentration in order to find the most suitable location to install the WEC units. Further numerical modeling is required for the detailed design of wave farms, especially if potential sites are located in shallow water.