Site level cost benefit analysis of renewable energy in the near-shore environment

Senior thesis written for Oceanography 445

[author abstract] This study addresses the task of comparing wind, wave, and solar renewable energy resource production at the site level in the near-shore environment. Through the design and build of a renewable energy monitoring system, the different energy sources currently shaping the renewable energy market were compared through a cost benefit analysis. The monitoring system recorded variation in intensity and consistency of wind speed and direction, multi-angular solar light, and significant wave height at a fine spatial and temporal scale. This system monitored a near-shore low energy site in Edmonds, WA on April 4th, 2015. ...The highest return per unit value was determined to be the highest for wind with an alternative selection of solar energy. Wave energy had relatively high production values, but was offset by its high cost per kWh. Solar energy had the cheapest consumer cost, but had inconsistent measurements in daily production with low output values not suited for users in the near-shore environment.

University of Washington School of Oceanography