Extreme wave analysis for marine renewable energies in Ireland
The characterization of extreme wave climates and future projection analyses are essential for offshore renewable energy planning and coastal protection. This study examines the maximum individual wave height (Hmax) around Ireland, using ERA5 reanalysis data from 1991 to 2020, validated against Hmax...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Energy Conversion and Management: X |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590174525001047 |
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| author | Nahia Martinez-Iturricastillo Meábh Nic Guidhir Alain Ulazia John V. Ringwood |
| author_facet | Nahia Martinez-Iturricastillo Meábh Nic Guidhir Alain Ulazia John V. Ringwood |
| author_sort | Nahia Martinez-Iturricastillo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The characterization of extreme wave climates and future projection analyses are essential for offshore renewable energy planning and coastal protection. This study examines the maximum individual wave height (Hmax) around Ireland, using ERA5 reanalysis data from 1991 to 2020, validated against Hmax observations from Irish moored buoys. Extreme wave climate regions are defined, employing a model-based clustering technique, which relies on the wave height distribution of each area. The probability of rogue waves – defined as waves where the maximum wave height is at least twice the significant wave height – is assessed for each region. The results suggest that, while extreme waves are more likely to occur far offshore on the west coast of Ireland, the likelihood of rogue waves is higher on the east coast and closer to shore. The Gumbel distribution is employed to estimate the 50-year return period Hmax values; these projections are compared to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s threshold of 30 m, representing the maximum 50-year return period wave height offshore wind turbines must withstand. This threshold is exceeded in areas far offshore from Ireland’s west coast, particularly near the M6 buoy location. Additional analyses of thresholds, at 29 and 28 m, suggest a broader area may be impacted by these high waves. The findings provide valuable insights into the spatial variability of extreme wave events, informing risk assessments for offshore renewable energy developments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ffde07760c9943eda29ece682bd733cb |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2590-1745 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energy Conversion and Management: X |
| spelling | doaj-art-ffde07760c9943eda29ece682bd733cb2025-08-20T02:31:56ZengElsevierEnergy Conversion and Management: X2590-17452025-04-012610097210.1016/j.ecmx.2025.100972Extreme wave analysis for marine renewable energies in IrelandNahia Martinez-Iturricastillo0Meábh Nic Guidhir1Alain Ulazia2John V. Ringwood3Centre for Ocean Energy Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland; Hamilton Institute, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland; Corresponding author at: Hamilton Institute, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.Met Éireann, D09 Y921 Dublin, IrelandEnergy Engineering Department, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Otaola 29, 20600 Eibar, SpainCentre for Ocean Energy Research, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, IrelandThe characterization of extreme wave climates and future projection analyses are essential for offshore renewable energy planning and coastal protection. This study examines the maximum individual wave height (Hmax) around Ireland, using ERA5 reanalysis data from 1991 to 2020, validated against Hmax observations from Irish moored buoys. Extreme wave climate regions are defined, employing a model-based clustering technique, which relies on the wave height distribution of each area. The probability of rogue waves – defined as waves where the maximum wave height is at least twice the significant wave height – is assessed for each region. The results suggest that, while extreme waves are more likely to occur far offshore on the west coast of Ireland, the likelihood of rogue waves is higher on the east coast and closer to shore. The Gumbel distribution is employed to estimate the 50-year return period Hmax values; these projections are compared to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s threshold of 30 m, representing the maximum 50-year return period wave height offshore wind turbines must withstand. This threshold is exceeded in areas far offshore from Ireland’s west coast, particularly near the M6 buoy location. Additional analyses of thresholds, at 29 and 28 m, suggest a broader area may be impacted by these high waves. The findings provide valuable insights into the spatial variability of extreme wave events, informing risk assessments for offshore renewable energy developments.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590174525001047Extreme wavesMarine renewable technologiesOffshore windCluster analysisERA5Buoy data |
| spellingShingle | Nahia Martinez-Iturricastillo Meábh Nic Guidhir Alain Ulazia John V. Ringwood Extreme wave analysis for marine renewable energies in Ireland Energy Conversion and Management: X Extreme waves Marine renewable technologies Offshore wind Cluster analysis ERA5 Buoy data |
| title | Extreme wave analysis for marine renewable energies in Ireland |
| title_full | Extreme wave analysis for marine renewable energies in Ireland |
| title_fullStr | Extreme wave analysis for marine renewable energies in Ireland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Extreme wave analysis for marine renewable energies in Ireland |
| title_short | Extreme wave analysis for marine renewable energies in Ireland |
| title_sort | extreme wave analysis for marine renewable energies in ireland |
| topic | Extreme waves Marine renewable technologies Offshore wind Cluster analysis ERA5 Buoy data |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590174525001047 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nahiamartineziturricastillo extremewaveanalysisformarinerenewableenergiesinireland AT meabhnicguidhir extremewaveanalysisformarinerenewableenergiesinireland AT alainulazia extremewaveanalysisformarinerenewableenergiesinireland AT johnvringwood extremewaveanalysisformarinerenewableenergiesinireland |