Mudanças climáticas no contexto do poder marítimo: o impacto das condições de onda na avaliação de rotas marítimas e operacionalidade de navios para instalação de parques eólicos offshore na costa sul do Brasil

Abstract

ABSTRACT The growing demand for environmental licenses to install offshore wind farms in Brazil, particularly along the south coast, underlines the country's increasing interest in expanding its sustainable energy sources. However, the typical wave conditions along the south coast may affect the operation of heavy-lift vessels installing these infrastructures, especially with the recorded increase in extreme events in the region. This study examines the ocean wave conditions along the primary maritime route and the planned installation area of an offshore wind farm complex on the south coast of Brazil, using wave energy flux (Pw) as a parameter for assessing navigation safety and maritime operation efficiency. The results suggest that while Pw generally stays within operational limits, specific periods, particularly autumn and winter, pose an elevated risk of exceeding these limits. May is identified as the highest-risk month, while the summer months are the safest for maritime operations. The study also introduces an innovative decision support tool that includes Pw maps based on wave numerical model forecasts. The conclusions underline the importance of analyzing operational limits concerning wave conditions and the versatility of the developed tool, emphasizing its potential impact on the planning and execution of offshore and naval operations.