Resource assessment for combined offshore wind and wave energy in China

The development of offshore wind farms has experienced rapid growth during the past decade. In particular, China has the highest number of installations worldwide, but some challenges exist for further development. Consequently, some researchers suggest combining wave energy with offshore wind energy. To fully implement this plan, a comprehensive resource assessment of combined offshore wind and wave energy systems is needed. Investigations of the parameters, such as the spatial and temporal distribution of wind and wave energy, aggregate resource reserves, available technical potential, and total capacity factor, are vital for designing the required wind turbines and wave energy converters. To assist scientific development and governmental decision making, this paper aims to evaluate offshore wind and wave energy resources from a technological perspective. The results show that theoretical offshore wind and wave energy resources are abundant in China’s ocean territory, with a potential of approximately 3 TW. Technically, of the three most popular offshore wind turbines, i.e., 6, 8, and 10 MW, 10 MW is overall the most suitable in China. However, of the three wave energy converters, i.e., 120, 250, and 750 kW, 120 kW is the best candidate for Liaoning Province, and 750 kW is the most suitable for the remainder of its region. Overall, the total annual energy production is approximately 7000 TWh.