Article Type:
Research Article

Wind Energy Input to the Surface Waves

Wei Wang Physical Oceanography Laboratory, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China

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Rui Xin Huang Department of Physical Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts

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Print Publication:
01 May 2004
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0485(2004)034<1276:WEITTS>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
1276–1280
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Abstract

Wind energy input into the ocean is primarily produced through surface waves. The total rate of this energy source, integrated over the World Ocean, is estimated at 60 TW, based on empirical formulas and results from a numerical model of surface waves. Thus, surface wave energy input is about 50 times the energy input to the surface geostrophic current and 20 times the total tidal dissipation rate. Most of the energy input is concentrated within the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

Corresponding author address: R. X. Huang, Department of Physical Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543. Email: rhuang@whoi.edu

Abstract

Wind energy input into the ocean is primarily produced through surface waves. The total rate of this energy source, integrated over the World Ocean, is estimated at 60 TW, based on empirical formulas and results from a numerical model of surface waves. Thus, surface wave energy input is about 50 times the energy input to the surface geostrophic current and 20 times the total tidal dissipation rate. Most of the energy input is concentrated within the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

Corresponding author address: R. X. Huang, Department of Physical Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543. Email: rhuang@whoi.edu

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