RIASSUNTO
ABSTRACT
Currently, in Europe approximately 20% of its electricity comes from renewable energy sources. Regarding wind energy, as most of the inland prime locations are being used up, the next place to look for wind is offshore. In addition, one of the most promising renewable energy sources is sea waves. In this paper, a first attempt for a detailed assessment of the offshore wind and wave potential of the Greek seas, based on in-situ wind and wave measurements is made. The data are in the form of long time series covering a period ranging from 5 to 12 years.
INTRODUCTION
Currently, in Europe approximately 20% of its electricity comes from renewable energy sources (RES); the energy needs are supported mainly by conventional energy sources, which are being exhausted at alarming rate. Intensive research and development study of wind and wave energy conversion began, however, after the dramatic increase in oil prices in 1973. Since 1990, the increase of the size and the improved efficiency of wind generators have permitted the utilization of offshore wind energy. At the same time, there has been a real renaissance in the field of wave energy, which has led, in recent years, closer to commercialization than ever before. Consequently, RES will be preferred as alternative solutions for energy production (target 20% until 2020 by EU), mainly because of their unlimited availability and contribution to the reduction of atmospheric pollution. Regarding offshore wind and wave energy, their advantages are: i) they are ample, renewable, widely distributed and clean, ii) they contribute to the reduction of the greenhouse effect and toxic gas emissions reducing also fossil fuels imports iii) the decentralization of energy production, iv) prospects for economic development in remote areas, vi) new job initiatives, etc. Though onshore wind farms are well established in European Mediterranean countries, offshore wind farms are still at their infancy.