*4.2. Potential Assessment*

Strengths: Long-term data collected from meteorological stations have generally been used to investigate the wind energy potential for an area. Given the limitations of measuring and installing marine buoys in o ffshore areas, much research needs to be conducted to identify the areas that are not considered. In this regard, satellite data are used in many aspects, for example, marine engineering, numerical model, oceanographic, wind speed and wave height [86]. In this area, many studies have already been conducted by various researchers on the estimation of marine wind energy on spatial scattering data greater than 12.5, 25 and 50 km resolutions [87,88]. This wind maps can be improved either by one-kilometer grid resolution [89] from Sentinel 1 data. Majidi Nezhad et al. [57] explained a new method for assessing, reporting, and mapping the wind energy potential of sea areas using Sentinel 1 imageries in the Sicilian island of the Mediterranean Sea. First, they identified the hot spots for wind turbine and wind farm installation in large marine areas and accordingly estimated the average wind potential in small areas around the islands. Sentinel 1 satellite images have been analyzed by using the SNAP software and then the wind parameters mapped in the GIS software. At the end of the SAR imagery analysis and mapping, the mean wind regime was extrapolated using the ROI tool and was used as an input data to train and test the proposed forecast model [68].

Figure 6 shows the mean wind speed (MWS) per (m/s) in two di fferent cases (Sicilian and Sardinia islands) using ECMWF reanalysis dataset (between 1979 to 2019). Mediterranean Sea islands usually have higher average wind energy compared to the Mediterranean Sea region in the mainland (Figure 7). The case studies (Sicily, Sardinia) showed wind speeds are higher than the European continental shores. The main reason for this situation is the lower surface roughness (natural barriers) of the ocean surface compared to the ground land.

According to various studies conducted in the Mediterranean Sea, the highest values of wind speed can be observed in the Aegean Sea, the Gulf of Lyon and the Alboran Sea with wind speeds of more than eight meters per second. In the Mediterranean Sea, some areas such as the Aegean Sea, the Strait of Gibraltar, the Gulf of Lyon and the area between Sicily and the coast of Tunisia also have wind speeds of about seven meters per second. The highest increase in wind speed in these areas is observed in spring and summer. This also causes seasonal fluctuations in these regions. Furthermore, during the winter, a significant reduction in wind energy potential is observed in the central parts of the Mediterranean Sea, as in the coasts of Libya and Egypt [46].

These areas, given their good potential, can be called hot spot areas that can be focused on installing power converters. Majority of the Mediterranean islands are characterized by a strong economy from tourism, and these hot spots areas were used to generate renewable energy for the self-sufficiency of the islands also during the seasons when the energy demand significantly increases.

**Figure 6.** Mean wind speed (MWS) per (m/s) with the 10 m height in two different cases and Mediterranean Sea using European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis dataset (between 1979 to 2019).

**Figure 7.** Seasonality wind speed (m/s) for case studies.

Opportunities: Since none of the wind farms were shut down to date, it can be treated as a new industry and also as a starting point, given its partnerships with the oil and gas industry [89]. One of the main benefits of OW energy are higher wind energy sources and potential electricity generation compared to land-based wind farms due to the higher wind speeds in the seas and oceans. It also has limited areas to explore given the greater scope for installing marine farms [90]. Sites with a short distance from the coastline are the most attractive location for wind farms installation, since

installation costs increases with increase in the distance from the shore, mainly due to two related factors: water depth and cable cost [67]. Wind energy is the most popular type of renewable energy and its popularity is directly related to harmlessness. It is economical and environment friendly and can play an important role in reducing CO2, SOx and NOx [10]. Using satellites to monitor wind energy and analyze changes in o ffshore wind energy is crucial for installing wind farms and for observing large areas. Such analysis often requires case study data that are particularly important for developing accurate business models for working on new o ffshore wind farms, considering that their number is expected to dramatically increase in the following years.

Weaknesses: The potential of Italy's OW energy source is outstanding in many places. The Italian governmen<sup>t</sup> set a goal of 950 MW for OW by 2030 in its national energy and climate plan presented to the European Commission. Therefore, there are good strengths and opportunities for the Navy in Italy. However, the development of the Italian naval force is still at an early stage and still faces many challenges and threats. Government can set the strongest possible priorities for the future development of maritime zones in the best possible way with the clear and coherent maritime policies they adopt. Such policies should reflect specific goals aimed at establishing hydro power as a means of achieving some reduction in carbon dioxide and clean energy production [7]. Many o ffshore wind projects in Italy have been cancelled mainly due to lack of funding or opposition from local authorities and the small distances from shore. Moreover, many other projects are in a dormant state during the initial planning phase. OW farms continue to su ffer from weaknesses, as prices within the OW power network were uncertain and so investment risk was higher. On the other hand, the development of OW power involved several parts such as planning conflicts between various departments and dealing with problems [91]. Large-scale wind turbines have become a mainstay of technology development in the world. Many countries declared that they were producing more wind turbines and the power plant was concentrated at eight megawatts to four megawatts [91].

Threats: Wind energy potential varies with the cube of wind speed, making minor changes to wind circulation patterns and severity will have a profound impact on future wind power generation. This indicates the sensitivity of wind energy which is related to climate change and future changes. Moreover, wind flow characteristics can also severely a ffect the ability of wind energy potential usage [92]. For example, a change in the year-to-year wind velocity impacts on electricity generation capability, and the higher the volatility, the more variable the power generation may be, which can cause problems in demand on the electricity grid. On the other hand, there is a decrease in the profitability of wind farms. Considering this parameter, this is an important issue for the economic feasibility of a wind farm having lifetime of about 20–25 years [92]. Climate change also a ffects other factors, such as water depth and distance at the coastal areas.

The high cost of investment is one of the most important reasons limiting the development of OW farms construction. OW energy sector includes many professional expertise and institutions: the maritime department, the environmental protection agency, the fisheries and military departments. The coordination between them could be very di fficult, especially during the planning and approval processes [91].
