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A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 27811

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Liliana Rusu

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Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, ‘Dunarea de Jos’ University of Galati, 47 Domneasca Street, 800008 Galati, Romania
Interests: wave modeling; wave energy; wave climate; waves in ocean and coastal areas; wave–current interactions; ocean wave analysis
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Dr. Vicky Stratigaki

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Guest Editor

Department of Civil Engineering, Ghent University, Technologiepark 60, 9052 Zwijnaarder (Ghent), Belgium
Interests: marine renewable energy; wave energy converter arrays; experimental modelling; numerical coupling methodologies; WEC–WEC interactions; wave-structure interaction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are inviting submissions to a Special Issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering in the subject area "Offshore renewables for a transition to a low carbon society" and related topics. Offshore renewable sources are abundant, while the amount of energy that can be harvested using the existent technologies varies from day-to-day and site-to-site depending on the weather conditions and on the location considered. The changes induced in recent decades in the climate by human activities are significant, and from this perspective, the reduction of CO₂ emissions represents a problem of increasing importance. In this context, the technologies associated with the extraction of ocean energy represent a crucial issue in achieving the expected targets in terms of energy efficiency and environmental protection. In recent years, significant advances have been made when it comes to ocean energy extraction. However, there are still important steps to be performed for the implementation of the most effective technologies that could operate successfully and survive in the harsh marine environment for a long period of time. From this perspective, the main target of this Special Issue is improve the renewable energy agenda through enhanced scientific and multi-disciplinary works, aiming to enhance knowledge and performance in extracting ocean energy. From this perspective, we strongly encourage scientific works targeting innovative technical developments, reviews, case studies, and analytics, as well as assessments and manuscripts related to different disciplines, which are relevant to the extraction of offshore renewables and related topics.

Prof. Dr. Liliana Rusu
Dr. Vicky Stratigaki
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

ocean energy
climate change
evaluation of the resources
environmental modeling
floating wind
fix offshore wind turbines
wave energy
tide energy
floating solar panels
thermal and salinity gradients energy
collocations and hybrid approaches
economic assessments
expected LCOE dynamics
challenges in ocean energy extraction

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 191 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Offshore Renewables for a Transition to a Low Carbon Society

by Liliana Rusu and Vicky Stratigaki

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(6), 1185; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11061185 - 07 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2735

Abstract

The need to reduce CO₂ emissions is of utmost importance considering the climate changes that have become more evident and affect us through the significant impact they have [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Offshore Renewables for a Transition to a Low Carbon Society)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

13 pages, 3233 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization on Hydrodynamic Performance for First Level Energy-Capturing Enhancement of a Floating Wave Energy Converter System with Flapping-Panel-Slope

by Tianyu Song, Ze Li, Honghao Zheng, Chujin Liang and Zhanhong Wan

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(2), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11020345 - 04 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1070

Abstract

Based on the wave reflection principle, a floating flapping-panel wave energy converter was developed. The feasibility study and optimization study of the new WEC was carried out by laboratory research and computational fluid dynamics techniques. A numerical model was developed for an in-depth study to establish the relationship between slope tilt angle and power. The results for different wave periods show that the power take-off damping coefficient has a significant effect on the power. Meanwhile, the effects of flap length and wave height on converter resonance and power are investigated. Finally, a preliminary laboratory physical model test of the device is conducted. The flapping-panel-slope structure is very feasible and effective with good hydrodynamic performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Offshore Renewables for a Transition to a Low Carbon Society)

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18 pages, 9348 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Evaluation of the Efficiency of the Floating Solar Panels in the Western Black Sea and the Razim-Sinoe Lagunar System

by Alexandra Ionelia Manolache, Gabriel Andrei and Liliana Rusu

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(1), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11010203 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3060

Abstract

The development of novel solar power technologies is regarded as one of the essential solutions to meeting the world’s rising energy demand. Floating photovoltaic panels (FPV) have several advantages over land-based installations, including faster deployment, lower maintenance costs, and increased efficiency. Romania is considered a country with enormous solar energy potential, which is one of the most exploited sectors of the renewable energy sector. With this in mind, the purpose of this work is to assess the energetic potential provided by the sun, taking into account three lakes in Romania’s east and extending to the west of the Black Sea. In this context, we examine the hourly distribution of solar radiation for the year 2021. The solar radiation data were extracted using the ERA5 database, as well as data collected in situ near them. Following this research, we discovered that all of the chosen locations have a high energetic potential and could be used as locations for the exploitation of solar energy, thereby avoiding the use of land that could be used for agricultural purposes in these areas. We also noticed that there are minor differences between the solar radiation values obtained from the ERA5 database and the measured ones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Offshore Renewables for a Transition to a Low Carbon Society)

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27 pages, 33208 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Modelling of an Isolated WECfarm Real-Time Controllable Heaving Point Absorber Wave Energy Converter

by Timothy Vervaet, Vasiliki Stratigaki, Francesco Ferri, Louis De Beule, Hendrik Claerbout, Bono De Witte, Marc Vantorre and Peter Troch

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(10), 1480; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10101480 - 11 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2080

Abstract

To offer point absorber wave energy converters (WECs) as a bankable product on the marine renewable energy market, multiple WECs will be installed together in an array configuration. The wave energy community (research and industrial) has identified the urgent need for available realistic and reliable data on WEC array tests in order to perform a better WEC array optimization approach and in order to validate recently developed (non-linear) numerical models. The ‘WECfarm’ project is initiated to cover this scientific gap on necessary experimental data. The ‘WECfarm’ experimental setup consists of an array of five generic heaving point-absorber WECs. The WECs are equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), addressing the need for WEC array tests with an accurate and actively controllable power take-off (PTO). The WEC array control and data acquisition are realized with a Speedgoat Performance real-time target machine, offering the possibility to implement advanced WEC array control strategies in the MATLAB-Simulink environment. The presented article describes the experimental setup, the performed tests and the results of the test campaign using a single, isolated ‘WECfarm’ WEC in April 2021 at the wave basin of Aalborg University (AAU), Denmark. A Coulomb and viscous friction model is determined to partly compensate for the drivetrain (motor, gearbox, rack and pinion) friction. A system identification (SID) approach is adopted considering the WEC system to be composed of two single input single output (SISO) models, the radiation and the excitation model. Radiation tests yield the intrinsic impedance. Excitation tests yield the excitation frequency response function. Adopting an impedance matching approach, the control parameters for the resistive and reactive controller are determined from the complex conjugate of the intrinsic impedance. Both controllers are tested for a selection of regular wave conditions. The performed experimental test campaign using an isolated ‘WECfarm’ WEC allows a full evaluation of the WEC design prior to extending the setup to five WECs. Within the ‘WECfarm’ project, an experimental campaign with a five-WEC array in the Coastal and Ocean Basin (COB) in Ostend, Belgium, is under preparation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Offshore Renewables for a Transition to a Low Carbon Society)

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31 pages, 26478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Modelling of Point-Absorber Wave Energy Converter Arrays: A Comprehensive Review, Identification of Research Gaps and Design of the WECfarm Setup

by Timothy Vervaet, Vasiliki Stratigaki, Brecht De Backer, Kurt Stockman, Marc Vantorre and Peter Troch

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(8), 1062; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10081062 - 02 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3049

Abstract

Commercial wave energy exploitation will be realised by placing multiple wave energy converters (WECs) in an array configuration. A point-absorber WEC consists of a floating or submerged body to capture wave energy from different wave directions. This point-absorber WEC acts as an efficient wave absorber that is also an efficient wave generator. Optimising the WEC array layout to obtain constructive interference within the WEC array is theoretically beneficial, whereas for wind farms, it is only important to avoid destructive interference within an array of wind turbines due to wake effects. Moreover, the WEC array layout should be optimised simultaneously with the applied control strategy. This article provides a literature review on the state of the art in physical modelling of point-absorber WEC arrays and the identification of research gaps. To cover the scientific gap of experimental data necessary for the validation of recently developed (nonlinear) numerical models for WEC arrays, Ghent University has introduced the “WECfarm” project. The identified research gaps are translated into design requirements for the “WECfarm” WEC array setup and test matrix. This article presents the design of the “WECfarm” experimental setup, consisting of an array of five generic heaving point-absorber WECs. The WECs are equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), addressing the need for WEC array tests with an accurate and actively controllable power take-off (PTO). The WEC array control and data acquisition are realised with a Speedgoat Performance real-time target machine, offering the possibility to implement advanced WEC array control strategies in the MATLAB-Simulink model. Wave basin testing includes long- and short-crested waves and extreme wave conditions, representing real sea conditions. Within the “WECfarm” project, two experimental campaigns were performed at the Aalborg University wave basin: (a) a testing of the first WEC in April 2021 and (b) a testing of a two-WEC array in February 2022. An experimental campaign with a five-WEC array is under preparation at the moment of writing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Offshore Renewables for a Transition to a Low Carbon Society)

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17 pages, 3395 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictive Control for a Wave-Energy Converter Array Based on an Interconnected Model

by Bo Zhang, Haixu Zhang, Sheng Yang, Shiyu Chen, Xiaoshan Bai and Awais Khan

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(8), 1033; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10081033 - 27 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1397

Abstract

This paper proposes a model predictive control (MPC) method based on an interconnected model to maximize the ocean wave energy extracted by a wave-energy converter (WEC) array. In the proposed method, a formally uniform interconnected model is applied to represent the dynamics of an array consisting of an arbitrary quantity of WECs, simultaneously considering the hydrodynamic interaction among all the WEC devices. First, the WEC devices and their hydrodynamic interaction are represented in an interconnected model that describes the networked dynamics of a variety of WEC arrays with distinct spatial geometry layout of the WEC devices deployed in the sea field. Second, based on the presented model, an MPC method is applied to achieve the coordinated control of the WEC array to improve its energy conversion efficiency under the constraints of buoy position and control force. Third, a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) platform is developed to simulate the WEC array’s physical operating conditions, and the proposed method is implemented on the platform to test its performance. The test results show that the proposed MPC method using the interconnected model has a higher energy harvesting efficiency than the classic MPC method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Offshore Renewables for a Transition to a Low Carbon Society)

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18 pages, 6645 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Harnessing of Different WECs to Harvest Wave Energy along the Galician Coast (NW Spain)

by Beatriz Arguilé-Pérez, Américo Soares Ribeiro, Xurxo Costoya, Maite deCastro, Pablo Carracedo, João Miguel Dias, Liliana Rusu and Moncho Gómez-Gesteira

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(6), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10060719 - 24 May 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2032

Abstract

The wave power resource (WP) was calculated along the Galician coast (NW Spain) over the period 2014–2021 using high spatial resolution hourly data from the SWAN model. In addition, the electrical energy (P_E) that can be extracted for a particular wave energy converter (WEC) was analyzed for four different WECs (Oyster, Atargis, Aqua Buoy, and Pelamis). The performance of every WEC was also calculated attending to two parameters: the power load factor (ε) and the normalized capture width with respect to the WEC’s geometry (efficiency). Results show that the WP resource is lower than 10 kWm⁻¹ onshore, but it increases to about 50 kWm⁻¹ offshore. Atargis obtained the highest P_E, and it is the most efficient device (ε ~40% and efficiency ~45%). Pelamis showed the lowest performance in offshore areas (

ε

~15%, efficiency < 10%). A different type of WEC should be considered for every location along the coast depending on its size, performance parameters, and coexistence with other socio-economic activities and protected environmental areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Offshore Renewables for a Transition to a Low Carbon Society)

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16 pages, 2417 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Site Selection of Offshore Solar Farm Deployment in the Aegean Sea, Greece

by Dimitra G. Vagiona, George Tzekakis, Eva Loukogeorgaki and Nikolaos Karanikolas

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(2), 224; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10020224 - 08 Feb 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2937

Abstract

Offshore solar energy presents a new opportunity for low-carbon energy transition. In this research, we identify and rank suitable Offshore Solar Farm (OSF) sites in the Aegean Sea, Greece, considering various constraints and assessment criteria. The methodology includes two distinct phases. In the first phase, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used to spatially depict both incompatible and compatible marine areas for OSF deployment, while in the second phase, two models based on different combinations of multi-criteria decision-making methods are deployed to hierarchically rank the eligible areas for OSF deployment. The first model (Objective Model—OM) attributes weights to assessment criteria using an entropy-based weight method, while the second model (Subjective Model—SM) utilizes the pairwise comparison of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Both models use TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) to prioritize the suitable OSF sites. The results indicate the existence of nine suitable OSF marine areas in the Greek marine environment (total surface area of 17.25 km²) and a different ranking of these sites depending upon the deployed model (OM or SM). The present approach provides useful guidelines for OSF site selection in Greece as well as in other countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Offshore Renewables for a Transition to a Low Carbon Society)

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21 pages, 7762 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics of the Wind and Wave Climate along the European Seas Focusing on the Main Maritime Routes

by Ana-Maria Chirosca and Liliana Rusu

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(1), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10010075 - 07 Jan 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2440

Abstract

European seas have a strong economic role both in terms of transport and tourism. Providing more knowledge, regarding the mean and extreme values of the wind and sea state conditions in the areas characterized by high maritime traffic, helps to improve navigational safety. From this perspective, six zones with high maritime traffic are studied. ERA5 database, a state-of-the-art global reanalysis dataset provided by ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts), is used to assess the average values and the percentiles for the wind speed and the main wave parameters in the target areas considering the period 2001–2020. The main European routes and the extreme conditions along them as well as the areas characterized by high values of wind speed and high waves were also identified. A more comprehensive picture of the expected dynamics of the environmental matrix along the most significant shipping routes is useful because in this way the most dangerous areas could be avoided by ships for the safety of passengers and transported goods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Offshore Renewables for a Transition to a Low Carbon Society)

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45 pages, 6565 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Techno-Economic Assessment of Offshore Wind Energy in the Philippines

by Gerard Lorenz D. Maandal, Mili-Ann M. Tamayao-Kieke and Louis Angelo M. Danao

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(7), 758; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9070758 - 09 Jul 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 11986

Abstract

The technical and economic assessments for emerging renewable energy technologies, specifically offshore wind energy, is critical for their improvement and deployment. These assessments serve as one of the main bases for the construction of offshore wind farms, which would be beneficial to the countries gearing toward a sustainable future such as the Philippines. This study presents the technical and economic viability of offshore wind farms in the Philippines. The analysis was divided into four phases, namely, application of exclusion criteria, technical analysis, economic assessment, and sensitivity analysis. Arc GIS 10.5 was used to spatially visualize the results of the study. Exclusion criteria were applied to narrow down the potential siting for offshore wind farms, namely, active submerged cables, local ferry routes, marine protected areas, reefs, oil and gas extraction areas, bathymetry, distance to grid, typhoons, and earthquakes. In the technical analysis, the turbines SWT-3.6-120 and 6.2 M126 Senvion were considered. The offshore wind speed data were extrapolated from 80 m to 90 m and 95 m using power law. The wind power density, wind power, and annual energy production were calculated from the extrapolated wind speed. Areas in the Philippines with a capacity factor greater than 30% and performance greater than 10% were considered technically viable. The economic assessment considered the historical data of constructed offshore wind farms from 2008 to 2018. Multiple linear regression was done to model the cost associated with the construction of offshore wind farms, namely, turbine, foundation, electrical, and operation and maintenance costs (i.e., investment cost). Finally, the levelized cost of electricity and break-even selling price were calculated to check the economic viability of the offshore wind farms. Sensitivity analysis was done to investigate how LCOE and price of electricity are sensitive to the discount rate, capacity factor, investment cost, useful life, mean wind speed, and shape parameter. Upon application of exclusion criteria, several sites were determined to be viable with the North of Cagayan having the highest capacity factor. The calculated capacity factor ranges from ~42% to ~50% for SWT-3.6-120 and ~38.56% to ~48% for 6.2M126 turbines. The final regression model with investment cost as the dependent variable included the minimum sea depth and the plant capacity as the predictor variables. The regression model had an adjusted R2 of 90.43%. The regression model was validated with existing offshore wind farms with a mean absolute percentage error of 11.33%. The LCOE calculated for a 25.0372 km² offshore area ranges from USD 157.66/MWh and USD 154.1/MWh. The breakeven electricity price for an offshore wind farm in the Philippines ranges from PHP 8.028/kWh to PHP 8.306/kWh. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Offshore Renewables for a Transition to a Low Carbon Society)

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19 pages, 93651 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Assessment of the Offshore Wind Energy Potential in the Romanian Exclusive Economic Zone

by Florin Onea, Eugen Rusu and Liliana Rusu

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(5), 531; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9050531 - 15 May 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2873

Abstract

The European offshore wind market is continuously expanding. This means that, together with significant technological developments, new coastal environments should be considered for the implementation of the wind farms, as is the case of the Black Sea, which is targeted in the present work. From this perspective, an overview of the wind energy potential in the Romanian exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Black Sea is presented in this work. This is made by analyzing a total of 20 years of wind data (corresponding to the time interval 2000–2019) coming from different sources, which include ERA5 reanalysis data and satellite measurements. Furthermore, a direct comparison between these datasets was also carried out. Finally, the results of the present work indicate that the Romanian offshore areas can replicate the success reported by the onshore wind projects, of which we can mention the Fantanele-Cogealac wind farm with an operating capacity of 600 MW. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Offshore Renewables for a Transition to a Low Carbon Society)

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