Session: 09-09-01 Hybrid Energy: Hybrid Marine Renewables

Submission Number: 175787

Wave and Ocean Current Energy Assessment in Malaysia for Hybrid Renewable Applications 

Marine renewable energy offers a promising pathway toward decarbonization, with wave and ocean current resources presenting particular potential for Malaysia. However, most prior assessments have examined these resources in isolation, which limits understanding of their combined potential and overlooks synergies that could enhance reliability and efficiency. Hybrid exploitation of wave and current energy has attracted growing international attention, especially in regions where individual resource levels are modest but complementary dynamics can yield more stable outputs. This study establishes a national baseline evaluation of wave and current energy resources in Malaysian waters using reanalysis datasets from the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS). Three prospective sites in the South China Sea are selected based on preliminary screening of resource intensity. Monthly power densities are calculated over a multi-year period, and probability distributions are derived to characterize seasonal variability and occurrence patterns. These data provide insight into both average trends and the likelihood of extreme or low-energy events. The results indicate that eastern waters generally exhibit higher potential than western regions. Waves and currents follow distinct seasonal cycles, yet display complementary behaviour: one resource tends to intensify when the other weakens. Although absolute energy densities are moderate compared to global benchmarks, this complementary nature highlights clear opportunities for hybrid development. This assessment delivers the first CMEMS-based baseline of wave and current energy for Malaysia, establishing a reference point for future marine renewable research. The findings provide actionable insights for technology developers on hybrid device design, for planners on site selection and grid integration, and for policymakers aiming to expand renewable portfolios with offshore resources suited to mild-energy environments.

Presenting Author: Haofan Ge Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS

Presenting Author Biography: Haofan Ge is a first-year PhD student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia. His doctoral research focuses on marine renewable energy resource assessment and hybrid offshore energy systems, with an emphasis on wave–current interactions and their integration into practical offshore applications. He has a background in offshore engineering and is currently involved in projects related to computational modelling and data-driven analysis for renewable energy development. His work aims to contribute toward sustainable energy solutions tailored to Malaysia’s coastal and marine environment.

Authors:

Haofan Ge Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Cheng Yee Ng Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Muk Chen Ong University of Stavanger
Jiyong Wang Hangzhou Dianzi University
Xiaoqing Tian Hangzhou Dianzi University