A risk-informed multicriteria framework for ocean current energy site selection for Small Island Developing States

Area of Science:

• Oceanography
• Renewable Energy
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Small Island Developing States (SIDS) experience energy insecurity due to reliance on imported fossil fuels.
• Limited deployment of land-based renewable energy sources exacerbates this challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a transferable, risk-informed multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework for ocean current energy (OCE) site selection in Cabo Verde (CV).
• To integrate hydrodynamic modeling, environmental constraints, techno-economic factors, and tropical cyclone (TC) exposure into the site selection process.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a high-resolution ocean circulation model to analyze spatial and temporal variability of surface currents and power densities.
• Integrated resource layers with depth, distance-to-coast, protected areas, shipping routes, and TC hazard fields.
• Applied MCDA with sensitivity analysis to evaluate potential OCE sites.

Main Results:

• Identified northwestern inter-island channels in CV with the strongest, most persistent currents (mean speeds > 0.7 m/s, power densities > 200 W/m²).
• Several sites meet feasibility criteria: mean currents near 1 m/s, suitable depths (10-20 m), proximity to shore, and low variability.
• Optimal sites are located outside high-TC-risk zones, in areas with low wave conditions, and away from major maritime corridors.

Conclusions:

• The developed MCDA framework effectively supports resilient OCE planning in SIDS by incorporating hazard awareness.
• The methodology is transferable to other coastal systems exposed to cyclones, aiding in sustainable energy development.