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GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 35, L13808, doi:10.1029/2008GL034172, 2008

Wind power distribution over the ocean

W. Timothy Liu

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA


Wenqing Tang

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA


Xiaosu Xie

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA


Abstract

Probability distribution and power density of wind speed over global oceans are computed from eight years of QuikSCAT measurements. They describe the variation and higher moments of wind speed that are critical in relating the non-linear effects of wind on electric power generation capability, shipping hazard, and air-sea exchanges in heat, water, and greenhouse gases. The power density distribution confirms our general knowledge of atmospheric circulation related to mid-latitude storm tracks, trade winds, and monsoons. It also reveals regions of high wind power associated with flow distortion by land, wind channeled by land topography, and buoyancy effect on turbulent stress driven by ocean fronts.

Received 4 April 2008; accepted 3 June 2008; published 8 July 2008.

Keywords: wind power density; remote sensing; air-sea interaction.

Index Terms: 4504 Oceanography: Physical: Air/sea interactions (0312, 3339); 1616 Global Change: Climate variability (1635, 3305, 3309, 4215, 4513); 1640 Global Change: Remote sensing (1855); 4528 Oceanography: Physical: Fronts and jets; 4262 Oceanography: General: Ocean observing systems.

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Citation: Liu, W. T., W. Tang, and X. Xie (2008), Wind power distribution over the ocean, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L13808, doi:10.1029/2008GL034172.