Wave energy assessment in Sicily (Italy)

Abstract

This research presents an estimation of wave energy potential in Sicily (Italy) carried out using both buoy wave measurements from Rete Ondametrica Nazionale (RON), the Italian Government wave buoy network, and wave parameter data by ERA-INTERIM, a recent meteorological reanalysis project of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Starting from these offshore data, we first identified the western part of Sicily as the area with a higher availability of offshore wave energy; subsequently, we selected a study area in the western part of the south coast and assessed the nearshore potential energy by performing propagation using a spectral model (SWAN). The nearshore analysis highlights the presence of a “hot spot” relatively close to the coast where energy concentration produces even higher energy availability than offshore. Based on this result, the site may be a possible location for a wave energy farm, provisional on a technical–economic feasibility analysis.