In - situ wave resource assessment near Taveuni, Fiji Islands

Reddy, Sandeep K. and Ahmed, Mohammed R. (2014) In - situ wave resource assessment near Taveuni, Fiji Islands. Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 6 (042001). pp. 1-13. ISSN NA

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Abstract

A lack of field data, visible dominant wave activity in the northern division of Fiji Islands particularly off the southern coast of Taveuni, and increasing cost of nonrenewable energy sources coupled with associated harmful effects to the environment have led to initial wave energy resource assessment. The present work involved twelve months of on-site wave measurements commencing July 2012. The measured data were compared with a 30 yr hindcast WW3 model data from a joint project between the Bureau of Metrology, Australia (BoM) and The Pacific Australia Climate Change Science and Adaption Planning. The model was used to relate to the site characteristic in terms of significant wave-height and period in representation of Fiji’s overall wave climate and at the same time validating the model with site measurements. The swell and wind wave components together with its prevailing direction was studied in detail. The calculated average power output was 12 kW/m for an average wave-height of 1m while a peak wave-height of 3.75m yielded power output of 24 kW/m. Comparison of the wave climate was also made with in situ wave assessment that was performed off the southern coast of Kadavu in 1994. In addition, two offshore wave energy converters’ performance data (power matrix) were used to estimate the expected power generation based on the average sea states to briefly examine the site’s potential with current technology. The summer and winter variation in wave power was calculated and wave power statistics such as percentile occurrence were also discussed. The results of the present study provide sufficient evidence of the potential of wave energy on site for future feasibility studies and subsequent power extraction.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Additional Information:	This is an online journal
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Wave energy; significant wave height; wave power density
Subjects:	T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Engineering and Physics
Depositing User:	M. Rafiuddin Ahmed
Date Deposited:	09 Sep 2014 00:41
Last Modified:	13 May 2016 02:57
URI:	http://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/7575

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