Estimation of wave power in shallow water using deep water wind and wave statistics

Abstract

The article addresses how the wave power in shallow water can be estimated based on available wind and wave statistics for a deep water ocean area. The average statistical properties of the wave power in shallow water expressed in terms of the mean value and the standard deviation are presented. Results are exemplified by using long-term wind and wave statistics from the same ocean area in the Northern North Sea. Overall, it appears that there is agreement between the results based on these inputs from wind and wave statistics. The presented analytical method should be useful for making preliminary estimates of the wave power potential in shallow water using either available deep water wind statistics or deep water wave statistics, which enhances the possibilities for assessing further the wave power potential in, for example, near-coastal zones.