In the Net Zero Emissions Scenario, renewable sources — particularly wind energy — are expected to supply the majority of electrical power. Since the performance of wind turbines is strongly influenced by ambient conditions such as wind speed and air density, climate change may also alter wind energy production. Thus, this study investigates how climate change could affect offshore wind energy production in Europe. The period 2000–2024 is adopted as the benchmark, while ambient conditions for 2050–2074 are projected under three scenarios defined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which assume different greenhouse gas concentration pathways. The results indicate that the relative variation of offshore wind energy potential will be in the order of ±10 % compared to the benchmark period.
Offshore wind energy potential in the era of climate change
Manservigi L.
;Caputo C. A.;Spina P. R.;Venturini M.
2026
Abstract
In the Net Zero Emissions Scenario, renewable sources — particularly wind energy — are expected to supply the majority of electrical power. Since the performance of wind turbines is strongly influenced by ambient conditions such as wind speed and air density, climate change may also alter wind energy production. Thus, this study investigates how climate change could affect offshore wind energy production in Europe. The period 2000–2024 is adopted as the benchmark, while ambient conditions for 2050–2074 are projected under three scenarios defined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which assume different greenhouse gas concentration pathways. The results indicate that the relative variation of offshore wind energy potential will be in the order of ±10 % compared to the benchmark period.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
