Ocean wave measurements for marine renewable energy applications

Accurate wave measurements are crucial for multiple aspects of marine renewable energy projects, including assessing environmental conditions, estimating wave-induced loads on fixed and floating platforms and validating numerical models. This review explores the current state of wave measuring techniques and sensors, their advantages, limitations, and recent technological advancements. Various approaches including in-situ measurements using wave buoys, acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) and hydrophones are discussed. Challenges in acquiring accurate and reliable measurements, effects of the marine environment on devices, and limitations in measuring technologies are highlighted. This review identifies future research areas including power-efficient long-term monitoring, directional wave characteristics, and better sensor integration. Addressing these challenges can lead to enhanced understanding of ocean waves, contributing to improved wave characterisation in the marine renewable energy sector. Additionally, this study aims to contribute towards sustainable development by advancing affordable and clean energy technologies and addressing the challenges of climate change. • In-depth review of wave measuring techniques and sensors for marine energy applications. • Identification of challenges and future research directions in ocean wave measurements. • Significance of accurate wave measurements for improving marine energy systems. • Wave buoys, ADCPs, and hydrophones provide valuable data for characterising the wave field.