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Wave energy resources in China's largest archipelago from a 30-year high-resolution hindcast

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  • Zhou, Yifan
  • He, Fang
  • Zhi, Honghuan
  • Wei, Xiaoran
  • Zhao, Wenyu
  • Bai, Yefei

Abstract

This study presents a validated 30-year (1994–2023) high-resolution wave hindcast from the SWAN model to assess wave energy resources in China's largest archipelago under International Electrotechnical Commission technical specifications. Six IEC parameters, including significant wave height, energy period, omni-directional wave power, spectral width, direction of maximum directionally resolved wave power, and directionality coefficient, are analyzed to characterize spatiotemporal resource variability. Results reveal strong east-west energy gradients, with the eastern open sea exhibiting the highest resource (mean power 6.82 kW/m), decreasing westward due to island sheltering. Semi-exposed northern and southern corridors retain exploitable energy (2.8–5.6 kW/m), while spectral complexity increases nearshore due to multi-scale wave interactions. Directional roses and bivariate sea-state distributions inform site-specific wave energy converters alignment, identifying optimal zones near the Daishan-Dongji island chain. A multi-dimensional assessment framework bridges resource metrics with techno-economic requirements, emphasizing directional persistence, spectral simplicity, and energy predictability. The study prioritizes development in semi-sheltered basins balancing resource potential, grid accessibility, and infrastructure constraints, supporting strategic wave energy deployment in complex archipelagic environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhou, Yifan & He, Fang & Zhi, Honghuan & Wei, Xiaoran & Zhao, Wenyu & Bai, Yefei, 2025. "Wave energy resources in China's largest archipelago from a 30-year high-resolution hindcast," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 340(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:340:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225050054
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.139363
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