On the wave energy potential of Western Black Sea shelf

TL;DR

This study assesses the wave energy potential of the Western Black Sea shelf by comparing numerical model outputs with limited observational data, highlighting the strengths and limitations of current modeling approaches.

Contribution

It evaluates the accuracy of the SWAN wave model using long-term measurements and reanalysis data, providing insights into modeling limitations for wave energy estimation in the Black Sea.

Findings

Modeled wave power flux aligns with measurements for certain periods.

Identified limitations in numerical models due to data scarcity and regional factors.

Comparison with regional atmospheric models enhances wave energy estimates.

Abstract

In the present study we evaluate the approaches to estimate the wave energy potential of the western Black Sea shelf with numerical models. For the purpose of our evaluation and due to the lack of long time series of measurements in the selected area of the Black Sea, we compare the modeled mean wave power flux output from the SWAN wave model with the only available long term measurements from the buoy of Gelendzhik for the period 1997-2003 (with gaps). The forcing meteorological data for the numerical wave models for the selected years is extracted from the ERA Interim reanalysis of ECMWF (European Centre for Medium range Forecasts). For the year 2003 we also compare the estimated wave power with the modeled by SWAN, using ALADIN regional atmospheric model winds. We try to identify the shortcomings and limitations of the numerical modeling approach to the evaluation of the wave energy potential in Black Sea.