ABSTRACT
The purpose of this work is to provide information on the wave energy resource along the Azores Islands. This study presents a numerical analysis of the sea state conditions and wave energy availability. Using spectral boundary conditions from WW3, the SWAN model is used to study the wave evolution in the Azores coastal area (35ᵒN-41ᵒN, 36ᵒW-24ᵒW). The wind input fields used are from ERA5 data base, produced by the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecast (ECMWF), with time steps of 6 hours, provided over a grid of 0.25ᵒx0.25ᵒ resolution, for a 5-year period between 2012 and 2016. The geographical distribution of the significant wave height and wave energy resource is evaluated. Monthly means, inter-annual and seasonal variability are assessed showing the energy flux ranges.
