Wave climate and energy resources in American Samoa from a 42-year high-resolution hindcast

García Medina, Gabriel; Yang, Zhaoqing; Li, Ning; Cheung, Kwok Fai; Lutu-McMoore, Elinor

doi:10.1016/j.renene.2023.03.031

Wave climate and energy resources in American Samoa from a 42-year high-resolution hindcast

Journal Article · Fri Mar 10 23:00:00 EST 2023 · Renewable Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.03.031· OSTI ID:1983642

^[1]; ^[2]; Li, Ning ^[3]; Cheung, Kwok Fai ^[3]; Lutu-McMoore, Elinor ^[4]

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Coastal Sciences Division
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Coastal Sciences Division; Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (United States)
Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (United States)
National Weather Service, Pago Pago, AS (United States)

Here, this paper presents an analysis of the wave climate and a characterization of the wave energy resources in American Samoa, a U.S. territory covering seven south central Pacific islands and atolls. A numerical wave model based on WAVEWATCH III® and unstructured SWAN was developed, validated, and executed for 1979–2020 to generate a hindcast dataset suitable for resource characterization. Model-data comparisons were performed with measurements collected in situ and from satellite-based altimeters. The model was found to perform well with a bias in significant wave height of -0.14 m and -0.06 m against buoy and altimeters, respectively. The multimodal sea state of American Samoa is investigated by identifying the sources of energy reaching the islands and partitioning the wave spectrum accordingly. The wave resources characterization follows the International Electrotechnical Commission Technical Specifications to be compatible with studies performed for other U.S. regions. The average omnidirectional wave power at 2 km from shore around Tutuila, the main island of American Samoa, is 14 kW/m. Locations east and west of the islands have a more consistent resource throughout the year because the northwest and southwest swells that are dominant during different seasons complement each other.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Water Power Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-76RL01830

OSTI ID:: 1983642

Report Number(s):: PNNL-SA-178054

Journal Information:: Renewable Energy, Journal Name: Renewable Energy Vol. 210; ISSN 0960-1481

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER
American Samoa
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Wave climate and energy resources in American Samoa from a 42-year high-resolution hindcast

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