Variability and Wave Power for Open Ocean Wave Conditions of the Peru Basin

Abstract

Technologies for converting wave energy to electricity are not mature yet. It is necessary to understand the characteristics and potential of the wave climate of the local area where wave energy converters will be installed. State of the art presents that wave spectrums for confined ocean wave conditions, like JONSWAP, were assumed for the wave climate of the Peruvian sea. The present work aims to approximate the wave power average in the Peru Basin, considering its open sea wave conditions through statistical and spectral analysis and contrasting its results with previous research. The wave power resulted in stable behaviour throughout the year, with a shallow temporal variability, mainly at half of the year. The amount of wave power is profitable for deploying wave energy converters. The wave power minimum average equals the minimum beneficial prescribed value (15 kW/m). The significant wave height is also considered stable throughout the year with a low coefficient of variability. This variability directly influences the variability of the wave power. Our results indicate that the Peru Basin is a sea with suitable and predictable wave power, and its low variability allows the safe deployment of wave energy converters.