Renewable Marine Energies in Galicia: Potential and Monitoring Tools

Abstract

The energy debate is characterized by the

consideration of a great variety of arguments. However,

nowadays, a certain consensus is reached when demanding the

necessary coexistence of different generation sources in the

energy mix, in order to guarantee the supply, hold the costs or

reduce the CO2 emissions. Considering this framework, the use

of renewable energies seems to be obvious: they are abundant,

domestic and their contribution to the fight against the climate

change is unquestionable.

The ocean, covers a 75 % of the earth’s surface, represents a

huge reserve of solar and gravitational energy, still to be

exploited, estimated in a minimum value of 25.000 GW. The

waves, tides and winds of the seas that border the north coast of

the Iberian Peninsula are rough and offer a huge kinetic energy

potential. Furthermore, Galicia benefits from its consolidated

shipbuilding and maritime tradition and port infrastructures, its

experience in the onshore wind energy sector, as well as from

the available industrial resources and technologies.

By analysing previous reports, the present paper aims to

identify the Galicia potential for the use of renewable marine

energies, specifically coming from waves, tidal streams and

offshore winds, and provide monitoring tools for the

surveillance of critical elements, as well as for R&D funding

sources.