Abstract
This report summarizes modeling efforts for the simulation of wave climates along the U.S. West Coast using an unstructured, nested-grid modeling approach that incorporates a global-regional nested grid using WAVEWATCH III® and the high-resolution UnSWAN (Unstructured-grid Simulating Waves Nearshore) model. Wave resource and long-term wave bulk parameters were simulated and subsequently validated with wave buoy data within the model domain. Overall, model results match observations at buoys well. The model hindcast was able to reproduce the seasonal variation of the sea state with large waves that occur in the winter and early spring months when wind forcing is strong and the calmed sea state during the summer when wind forcing is weak. The nested-grid modeling framework employed in this study provides a powerful and efficient modeling approach to accurately simulate wave climate over greater temporal and regional scales with sufficiently fine resolutions in the nearshore region. Results can be used to inform the deployment of wave energy converters and other nearshore instrumentation/devices in nearshore regions, assist in prioritizing hotspots for near-term market opportunities and development, and provide wave resource assessment data and information to inform resource estimates for marine and hydrokinetic energy technologies.