Assessing the wave energy potential in the Mediterranean Sea using WAVEWATCH III

This paper presents a new contribution for the assessment of the wave energy potential in the Mediterranean Sea. The wave energy flux is evaluated on the basis of a hindcast for the period 2011–2014 using numerical modelling. The applied WAVEWATCH III model is forced by the wind data from NOAA. First, the model calibration and validation is briefly presented, and the wave energy potential is then evaluated through the spatial and temporal variation of annual and seasonal wave energy flux. The mean wave power for the considered period reaches the significant value of 18 kW/m in the central part of the Western Mediterranean Sea. On the other hand, a high temporal variability is observed in all the most energetic areas.