Gulf of Maine Extreme Wave and Wind Design Parameters for Offshore Wind Turbines (1)

Published: 2013

Author(s):
Viselli, A.
Pearce, B.
Dagher, H.
Forristall, G.

Publication Name: Ocean Engineering

Publication URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0029801815001808

Research Area:
Keywords:
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Abstract:

Design parameters needed for the development of Maine?s offshore wind resource are calculated using Gulf of Maine buoy data. Extreme values of the significant wave height and mean associated peak period, eight minute average wind speed, and five second average gust wind speed are estimated using a Peaks Over Threshold (POT) extreme value estimation technique. Wind shear coefficients and gust factors are also estimated. Seven to thirty-two years of buoy data at five locations near areas of possible interest to Maine?s offshore wind industry were examined. Buoy data was obtained from the University of Maine and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. Predictions of extreme significant wave heights in this study compare well with past shipboard and hindcast predictions for open water sites. Sites closer to shore show larger differences from past predictions due to the large areal scale of the earlier studies. Extreme wind speeds and shear coefficients compare well with coastal onshore wind speeds published by the American Society of Civil Engineers.