A Synergistic Assessment of Global Wind and Wave Energy Resources Using Satellite Altimetry

The combined exploitation of offshore wind and wave energy contributes to addressing pressing energy challenges. Satellite altimetry provides a unique capability for global synergistic assessment of these resources. Here, we utilizes the longest altimeter observations available (Jason series, 1993–2024) to assess the spatiotemporal distribution, correlation, variability and synergistic variations of global wind and wave energy. The altimeter-derived wind speed and significant wave height were calibrated against buoy data, showing high consistency. The synergistic assessment indicates that wind and wave energy have similar spatiotemporal distributions. The Southern Ocean emerges as the prime candidate for joint exploitation, exhibiting the most powerful and persistent resources, yet low variability and correlation. Other energetic regions including Arabian Sea, North Atlantic, and North Pacific show higher correlation and variability, making them preferable for single-energy exploitation. Maximum covariance analysis (MCA) reveals a strong positive global synergy (correlation: 0.72) between wind and wave energy, potentially modulated by large-scale climate patterns. The leading mode is closely linked to El Niño, manifesting as increased wind energy in the tropical Pacific and Southern Ocean co-varying with enhanced wave power in the central-eastern Pacific and Southern Ocean. This study establishes satellite altimetry as a foundational tool for synergistic assessment of global wind and wave energy potential, providing scientific basis for combined exploitation of marine energy resources.