Wave and wind energy resources assessment in the Carchuna coastal area (Spain)

Renewable energies are essential within the current social, environmental and political framework, in order to minimize the impact of climate change. Wind and waves powers are some key elements for future renewable energy resources and the energy extraction sustainability. Previous studies demonstrate the availability of significant energy potential in the Andalusian coastal area. Thus, the offshore wave energy and wind energy resources in Carchuna beach, located in Granada, in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, are estimated in this work. Data have been taken from several SIMAR points provided by Puertos del Estado, located off the coast, and from the ERA-Interim Copernicus service. Statistical analysis has been carried out to analyze the wave and wind characteristics in the area of interest in order to delimit a potential location for the installation of this type of devices. The main objective of this work is to analyze the potential resources to be extracted in this area. Both wind and wave resources are evaluated under the assumption of installation of combined systems, consisting of a horizontal axis wind turbine and three OWC (Oscillating Water Column) devices. The methods used in this work can be extrapolated to other areas, not only in the Andalusian coastal area, but also along the whole Iberian coastal area.