Assessment of Reduction in Carbon Dioxide Emission with Wave Solar Hybrid Generation Along Coastal Karnataka

This article assesses reduction in carbon dioxide emission by wave solar hybrid generation of electricity, replacing the thermal generation of electricity along coastal Karnataka. Electricity generation utilizing wave energy of one kilometer of combined width of wave-fronts and 1000 m × 100 m of area exposed to solar radiations has been considered for calculations. Irradiance is highest in April i.e., 7.1 KWH/m2/day, but reduces to 4.6 to 4.8 KWH/m2/day in the monsoon months. It reduces electricity generation potential of solar panels by around 20 to 30 W per m2 area. The wave data collected from the wave rider buoy at Karwar (Karnataka) installed by INCOIS (Indian National Centre for ocean information studies) suggest that wave energy potential for electricity generation increases during monsoon period. It is around 3000 to 4000 Watts per meter width of wave-front which is ten times more than the non monsoon average potential of around 300 Watts per meter width of wave front. Wave energy can very well supplement deficit in solar generation during monsoon months. A wave solar hybrid generation system instead of thermal generation exploiting only 1 km coastal length can reduce carbon footprints by around 71500 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum.