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A Review of Offshore Renewable Energy for Advancing the Clean Energy Transition

Author

Listed:
  • Annette von Jouanne

    (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA)

  • Emmanuel Agamloh

    (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA)

  • Alex Yokochi

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA)

Abstract

Offshore renewable energy resources are abundant and widely available worldwide, offering significant contributions to the clean energy net-zero carbon emission targets. This paper reviews strong and emerging offshore renewable energy sources, including wind (fixed bottom and floating), hydrokinetic wave and tidal energy, floating solar photovoltaics (FPVs) and hybrid energy systems. A literature review of recent sources yields a timely comprehensive comparison of the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), technology readiness levels (TRLs), capacity factors (CFs) and global generation installed and potential, where offshore wind is recognized as being the strongest contributor to the clean energy transition and thus receives the most attention. Offshore wind grid integration, converter technologies, criticality, resiliency and energy storage integration are presented, in addition to challenges and research directions. While wave, tidal and FPV will never dominate the global grid, they have vital roles to play in the global energy transition; thus, they are reviewed, including technologies, installations, potential, challenges and research directions. Offshore hybrid energy systems, combining different offshore renewable energy sources, are also discussed along with example installations. The paper concludes with a discussion of the potential environmental impacts of offshore renewable energy development, including recommendations.

Suggested Citation

  • Annette von Jouanne & Emmanuel Agamloh & Alex Yokochi, 2025. "A Review of Offshore Renewable Energy for Advancing the Clean Energy Transition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-29, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:18:p:4798-:d:1745523
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alberto Ghigo & Emilio Faraggiana & Massimo Sirigu & Giuliana Mattiazzo & Giovanni Bracco, 2022. "Design and Analysis of a Floating Photovoltaic System for Offshore Installation: The Case Study of Lampedusa," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-30, November.
    2. Murphy, C.A. & Schleifer, A. & Eurek, K., 2021. "A taxonomy of systems that combine utility-scale renewable energy and energy storage technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    3. Alexandra Ionelia Manolache & Gabriel Andrei, 2024. "A Comprehensive Review of Multi-Use Platforms for Renewable Energy and Aquaculture Integration," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-33, September.
    4. Bru, Jakob & Seland, Tom Stian & Dai, Jian & Jiang, Zhiyu, 2025. "Life cycle cost analysis of an offshore floating photovoltaic concept in the North Sea," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 249(C).
    5. Steffen Vogel & Ha Thi Nguyen & Marija Stevic & Tue Vissing Jensen & Kai Heussen & Vetrivel Subramaniam Rajkumar & Antonello Monti, 2020. "Distributed Power Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing Using a Grid-Forming Converter as Power Interface," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-24, July.
    6. Zhen Qin & Xiaoran Tang & Yu-Ting Wu & Sung-Ki Lyu, 2022. "Advancement of Tidal Current Generation Technology in Recent Years: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-18, October.
    7. Draxl, Caroline & Clifton, Andrew & Hodge, Bri-Mathias & McCaa, Jim, 2015. "The Wind Integration National Dataset (WIND) Toolkit," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 355-366.
    8. Jacek Lukasz Wilk-Jakubowski & Lukasz Pawlik & Grzegorz Wilk-Jakubowski & Radoslaw Harabin, 2025. "State-of-the-Art in the Use of Renewable Energy Sources on the Example of Wind, Wave Energy, Tidal Energy, and Energy Harvesting: A Review from 2015 to 2024," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-26, March.
    9. Annette von Jouanne & Emmanuel Agamloh & Alex Yokochi, 2023. "Power Hardware-in-the-Loop (PHIL): A Review to Advance Smart Inverter-Based Grid-Edge Solutions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-27, January.
    10. Sara Anttila & Jéssica S. Döhler & Janaína G. Oliveira & Cecilia Boström, 2022. "Grid Forming Inverters: A Review of the State of the Art of Key Elements for Microgrid Operation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-30, July.
    11. Annette von Jouanne & Emmanuel Agamloh & Alex Yokochi, 2025. "A Review of Matrix Converters in Motor Drive Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-28, January.
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