LAUSR

Abstract Wave energy studies have received high attention in the last few years due the increasing exploitation of alternative energies, as a result of the urgency in reducing the consumption of fossil fuels. However, a characterization of this resource has extreme importance due its elevated temporal and spatial variability. Parallel to this development on the renewable energy field, there is a wide range of studies of Wave Energy Converters (WEC’s) which has brought with them a number of important analysis that contribute to the development of these technologies. The viability of the implementation of wave energy farms highly depends on the wave energy power of the intended location. In this way, this study explores the evaluation and characterization of the wave energy potential on the Brazilian coast. Numerical simulations were carried out in order to determine, amongst other factors, Significant Wave Height ( H s ) and Wave Power Rate ( P w ), of the studied region. The two-dimensional spectral model TOMAWAC was used to conduct the simulations, which were calibrated and validated using wave data measured by buoys along the Brazilian coast. The surface boundary was forced using wind velocity data, and the oceanic boundaries were forced by H s , Peak Period ( T p ), and Peak Direction ( D p ) data, both provided by Era-Interim project. A 5 year wave hindcast was developed, and the annual averages were analyzed in different locations over all the Brazilian continental shelf, aiming to explore the potential implementation of WEC farms. In near shore areas the mean P w  reached values of 15 kW m−1, while offshore values reached from 18 to 20 kW m−1 being most frequent in the South-Southeastern Brazilian Shelf (SSBS). A great variability of the wave power was also identified when comparing the SSBS and the North-Northeastern Brazilian Shelf (NNBS), which demonstrate that the P w  tends to increase at higher latitudes. The results of this study could be used to seek specific areas which demonstrate available wave power for conversion in electric power.