The optimal share of wave power in a highly renewable power system on the Iberian Peninsula

In a highly renewable future pan-European power system, wave power might complement the renewable generation mix in a beneficial way. The potential of wave energy is estimated to be highest at Western European coastlines. Thus, the Iberian Peninsula is characterized by high wind, photovoltaic and wave resources. Five years of data on generation and load were used to identify the optimal share of wave power in a fully renewable power system on the Iberian Peninsula. This optimal share is defined by the minimization of needed backup energy from dispatchable sources in the system. First, the properties of the mix are investigated for the case of an isolated Iberian power system. Second, the mix is investigated when the Iberian Peninsula is connected to a fully renewable pan-European power system. The optimal share of wave power on the isolated Iberian Peninsula with respect to the need for additional backup is found to be 25% (wind 52%, photovoltaics 23%). This optimum does not change significantly, if hydro power is added to the generation mix. If compared to a system without wave power, the benefit from wave power equals an reduction of 6-8% of the backup energy need. For a fully connected European power system, the optimal mix on the Iberian Peninsula is determined to be 21% wave, 4% PV and 75% wind.