October 31, 2017
Report

Model Test Bed for Evaluating Unstructured-Grid Wave Models for Resource Assessment and Characterization

Abstract

Recent development of unstructured-grid wave models demonstrates the advantage of using an unstructured-grid modeling framework in wave modeling, especially in coastal areas that have complex coastlines, islands, shallow-water bays, and estuaries. This study evaluated the performance of unstructured-grid models in comparison to structured-grid models for predicting the IEC wave energy resource parameters at a common test bed site. Model skill was assessed using a set of model performace error statistics. Sensitivity of open boundary conditions and ]wind forcing on model results, computational efficiency, and the advantage and limitation of the unstructured-grid model are summarized in the report.

Revised: May 26, 2020 | Published: October 31, 2017

Citation

Yang Z., W. Wu, and T. Wang. 2017. Model Test Bed for Evaluating Unstructured-Grid Wave Models for Resource Assessment and Characterization Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.