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Wave energy potential along the Atlantic coast of Morocco

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  • Sierra, J.P.
  • Martín, C.
  • Mösso, C.
  • Mestres, M.
  • Jebbad, R.

Abstract

This study analyses the wave energy resource along the Atlantic coast of Morocco using a 44-year series of data obtained from numerical modeling (hindcasting). The spatial distribution of wave power is analyzed using data from 23 points along that coast. The estimated resources (average wave power up to 30 kW/m and average annual wave energy up to 262 MW h/m) are considerable and slightly lower than at the neighboring Canary Islands. The central part of this area (between latitudes 29°30′N and 34°N) is the most productive, while in the northern and southern parts the resource is significantly lower due to the shadow effect of the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands, respectively. The study of the temporal variability indicates a considerable seasonal trend, being the wave energy resource over four times greater in winter than in summer. Moreover, the power matrices of two wave energy converters (WECs) are considered to estimate the average power output at all the studied points. Finally, a multi-criteria analysis is carried out considering five different factors in order to select the best places for WEC deployment.

Suggested Citation

  • Sierra, J.P. & Martín, C. & Mösso, C. & Mestres, M. & Jebbad, R., 2016. "Wave energy potential along the Atlantic coast of Morocco," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA), pages 20-32.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:96:y:2016:i:pa:p:20-32
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2016.04.071
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    5. Joan Pau Sierra & Ricard Castrillo & Marc Mestres & César Mösso & Piero Lionello & Luigi Marzo, 2020. "Impact of Climate Change on Wave Energy Resource in the Mediterranean Coast of Morocco," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, June.
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    9. Pasquale Contestabile & Enrico Di Lauro & Paolo Galli & Cesare Corselli & Diego Vicinanza, 2017. "Offshore Wind and Wave Energy Assessment around Malè and Magoodhoo Island (Maldives)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-24, April.
    10. Mestres, Marc & Cerralbo, Pablo & Grifoll, Manel & Sierra, Joan Pau & Espino, Manuel, 2019. "Modelling assessment of the tidal stream resource in the Ria of Ferrol (NW Spain) using a year-long simulation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 811-817.
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    19. Mehrdad Moradi & Narimene Chertouk & Adrian Ilinca, 2022. "Modelling of a Wave Energy Converter Impact on Coastal Erosion, a Case Study for Palm Beach-Azur, Algeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-12, December.
    20. Flocard, Francois & Ierodiaconou, Daniel & Coghlan, Ian R., 2016. "Multi-criteria evaluation of wave energy projects on the south-east Australian coast," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 80-94.
    21. Sierra, Joan Pau & White, Adam & Mösso, Cesar & Mestres, Marc, 2017. "Assessment of the intra-annual and inter-annual variability of the wave energy resource in the Bay of Biscay (France)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 853-868.
    22. Bingölbali, Bilal & Jafali, Halid & Akpınar, Adem & Bekiroğlu, Serkan, 2020. "Wave energy potential and variability for the south west coasts of the Black Sea: The WEB-based wave energy atlas," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 136-150.
    23. Mourad Nachtane & Mostapha Tarfaoui & Karim Hilmi & Dennoun Saifaoui & Ahmed El Moumen, 2018. "Assessment of Energy Production Potential from Tidal Stream Currents in Morocco," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-17, April.
    24. Andrea Farkas & Nastia Degiuli & Ivana Martić, 2019. "Assessment of Offshore Wave Energy Potential in the Croatian Part of the Adriatic Sea and Comparison with Wind Energy Potential," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-20, June.

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