Waves and Coasts in the Pacific - Cost Analysis of Wave Energy in the Pacific

Cyprien, Bosserelle and Reddy, Sandeep K. and Kruger, Jens (2015) Waves and Coasts in the Pacific - Cost Analysis of Wave Energy in the Pacific. [Professional and Technical Reports]

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Abstract

Ocean waves are often cited as an appealing source of renewable energy in the Pacific but the cost effectiveness of wave energy converters (WECs) is deemed unproven and the technology is rarely
considered as a reliable renewable energy resource in Pacific Island countries. However,
single/stand-alone WECs could be a competitive option against fossil fuel generators because of the
high cost of imported fuel. This study analyses the wave energy resource in the Pacific and calculates
the potential cost and power generation of a benchmark WEC in Pacific Island countries.
The type of WEC chosen depends largely on the environmental and geophysical characteristics of the
wave energy site where it is to be deployed. The aim of this study was not to report on the best
device for each site but rather to give advice about the islands that could benefit most from wave
energy. Therefore, the cost analysis is based on a single WEC – the Pelamis device. The Pelamis
device cost presented here serves as a benchmark for comparison with other WECs in different
locations. Due to uncertainties and variations in potential costs across the region, the study
evaluated the range of costs applicable to the whole region. The costs of the WEC, transport,
installation, operation and management, refit and decommissioning are included. Site-specific
potential power generation was calculated, based on a realistic power output dependent on the
wave conditions.
The study found that Pacific islands south of latitude 20oS receive a substantial amount of wave
energy with a mean available wave resource above 20 kilowatts per metre (kW/m) and that many
other islands also have potential for wave energy extraction with a mean wave resource above 7
kW/m.
This study found that a Pelamis device in the Pacific could cost between USD 6,318,000 and USD
14,104,000 to install and can operate for 25 years. The energy produced by such a device could be
up to 1200 megawatt hours (MWh) per year for sites exposed to large swells. Using these values, the
range of the total lifetime cost of power generation was calculated to be between USD 200/MWh for
exposed sites and USD 1800/MWh for more sheltered sites. The corresponding operation and
maintenance generation cost are between USD 40/MWh and USD 900/MWh.
These costs are on a par with the cost of generation of other renewable energies, such as wind and
solar, and, for exposed sites, on a par with the cost of diesel generation. These findings suggest that
wave energy is a genuine contender for the development of renewable energy in the Pacific and
should no longer be ignored when planning such development; a concerted effort from all
stakeholders should be made in order to benefit from this technology.
Further deployment in wave technology will reduce the cost of single wave energy devices, and most
small Pacific Islands would not need to deploy large-scale wave farms of ten or more devices, as
power production would greatly exceed the demand. With expected rises in fuel prices in the next
decades, it would be wise to investigate further the potential of wave energy technology. The
deployment of WECs in the Pacific could provide an opportunity for the technology to prove itself in
the region and attract the attention of investors, policy makers and decision makers to invest in
wave energy development in the Pacific .
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Other recommendations are listed below.
1. French Polynesia, the Austral Islands in particular, should investigate potential wave energy
sites. On these islands, wave energy generation could become a major renewable energy
resource with a relatively low cost that could even compete with fossil fuel.
2. Tonga, Cook Islands and New Caledonia should also investigate wave energy sites and
suitable wave energy devices. Wave energy has a great potential for helping these countries
reach their renewable energy targets and supply energy more cheaply than other renewable
energy resources.
3. Countries with a mean wave energy flux above 7 kW/m should also investigate wave energy
hotspots and wave energy device options, especially in exposed locations. There, wave
energy may be able to supply a significant amount of renewable energy and help these
countries meet their renewable energy targets. However, wave energy in these locations
may be more expensive than other types of renewable energy.
4. Countries with a mean wave energy flux of less than 7 kW/m, such as Papua New Guinea
and Solomon islands, are unlikely to benefit from wave energy unless a major technological
breakthrough makes wave energy devices much more efficient. These countries should
therefore not consider wave energy as a significant renewable energy resource.
The WACOP project has provided calculations similar to those presented in this study for more than
200 Pacific locations in wave climate reports that should be consulted as an initial assessment of the
wave energy resource available.1 The WACOP project also provides a detailed wave climate analysis
for Samoa, Rarotonga in Cook Islands, Tongatapu and 'Eua in Tonga, southern Viti Levu in Fiji, Efate
in Vanuatu, and Funafuti in Tuvalu. These analyses include wave energy and cost calculations based
on the calculations presented in this report.

Item Type:	Professional and Technical Reports
Subjects:	T Technology > TC Hydraulic engineering. Ocean engineering
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Engineering and Physics
Depositing User:	Sandeep Reddy
Date Deposited:	05 May 2016 02:16
Last Modified:	05 May 2016 02:16
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/8575

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