Database of Wave Energy Potential in Portugal

Site selection for wave energy power plants is a complex procedure. In addition to enjoy good resource, the site should obey to certain geomorphologic and environmental conditions, comply with a number of restrictions to avoid conflicts of use, and enjoy close availability of specific infrastructures. Information on those topics is usually spread out through a number of institutions making their collection a time consuming task. In this paper a preliminary version of PEMAP, a database containing required information for this purpose for mainland Portugal, is presented. This database is implemented in a Geographical Information System. It contains information on wave energy resource, bathymetry, slope and seabed coverage of the mainland continental shelf and electrical grid among others. Near future development concerning engineering conditions such as information on harbors and shipyards, and marine biodiversity and fisheries is planned.