Numerical modelling of the wave energy in Galway Bay

A coupled modeling system was implemented to characterize the wave conditions and assess the wave energy potential at Galway Bay using WAVEWATCH IIII (WWIII) for wave generation and deep water propagation and SWAN model for wave propagation in intermediate and shallow water. Wind fields were taken from ECMWF's ERA Interim data base. Validation tests were carried out for the period between 2007 and 2010 with buoy data so that the model's performance could be evaluated.