Evaluation of Power Generation Potentials from Waves on the South Coast of the Caspian Sea Using Wave Prediction by SPM Semi-Empirical Method

The extraction of electricity from sea waves in areas with long beaches is particularly important. The prediction of waves by semi-empirical methods is specifically important to evaluate the wave energy potential. Therefore, in this study, the SPM semi-empirical method was used to analyze and predict the waves of the southern shores of the Caspian Sea to determine the energy production potential. First, First, the prediction of wind-induced waves in three stations of Anzali, Noshahr and Amirabad was conducted, Subsequently, the obtained results from the prediction were compared with the measured data relates to the waves in these three stations, which represented a good agreement between the predicted and measured data. Then, the potential of power generation at 8 stations on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea was investigated including Astara, Ramsar, Bandar Anzali, Chalus, Noshahr, Babolsar, Mahmoudabad and Amirabad for a 10-year period from 2006 to 2016 by using wave forecasting and available power generation relationships. Comparison of average energy production in three stations of Astara, Ramsar and Bandar Anzali with other stations showed that the western parts of the southern shores of the Caspian Sea have more potential for energy production from waves. Also, seasonal analysis of energy production based on one-year period data showed that winter and summer seasons had the highest and lowest amount of power generation and wave density, respectively.