Abstract
Two common techniques in determining surface wave power include a full wave spectrum integration and a representative wave approach. Under the concept of spectral wave parameterization, a new estimation formula is introduced in this study to capitalize the advantages of both the numerical method and the closed-form solution. The formula was verified using synthetic wave data and its applicable condition is recommended to be in the upper-intermediate to deep water environment. Validation against reliable field wave data showed that the new solution can outperform the representative wave approach by allowing higher estimation performance around 5%–15% on average. The new formula was applied for a practical estimation of wave power in Thailand. While the resulting wave power was found to be relatively low around 0.3 to 1.5 kW/m, the utility of the new solution can be warranted according to its consistency with the full numerical technique. This encouraging outcome is achievable as the deviation of the resulting estimates is limited and symmetric about a neutral mean. In summary, the superiority of the new analytical formula can be attributed to its dependable replication of typical random wave field and its adaptability to irregular wave energy distribution in the nature.