Offshore wind energy potential analysis of Turkish Marmara and Aegean seas

Abstract

Offshore wind energy potential analysis for 8 regions in the Marmara Sea and 16 regions in the Aegean Sea is carried out. Regions where wind power potential is available are determined. 10 years of wind data (2011-2020) at a height of 10 m acquired from Turkish State Meteorological Service (TSMS) is transferred to the wind turbine hub height, 84 m, by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis since no study was conducted using CFD for Turkish offshore wind energy. Also, there is no offshore meteorological mast in Turkey currently. That is why, closest onshore ones are used for this study. Shape, scale and capacity factors at hub height, annual energy harvested, and wind wake losses are calculated. Average wind power density (WPD) is also calculated for each region. According to the results, the highest wind speed is 10.29 m/s in Foca at 84 m and the highest capacity factor is 51.8% in Foca in the Aegean Sea. Regions with a capacity factor of more than 35% are determined to be suitable for wind farms. Twelve suitable regions are identified, and these regions are Erdek, Saray, Bandirma, Silivri and Adalar regions from the Marmara Sea and Gokceada east side, Gokceada west side, Bozcaada, Edremit, Foca, Cesme and Datca from Aegean Sea. Moreover, the highest AEP is 400.5 GWh/y in Foca with the probability of 50% (P50) whereas it is 348 GWh/y in same location with the probability of 90% (P90).