
CASSIOWPE
Characterising the atmosphere and sea surface interactions for the deployment of offshore wind in the Gulf of Lion
Duration: 30 months (2020-2023)
Context
The Gulf of Lion is frequently exposed to strong winds, making it an area with high wind energy potential. The development of floating systems is favoured because the water depth increases rapidly. However, the environmental conditions in this area are complex (strong onshore winds, winter storms from the south or west, etc.), resulting in a wide variety of sea states. These meteocean conditions are not correctly reproduced in the operational numerical models currently in use.
Objective
To better characterise weather and ocean conditions in the Gulf of Lion to support the deployment of floating wind turbines in the Mediterranean
MAIN ACHIVEMENTS
- Compilation of existing in situ measurements, covering wind and sea states
- Development of a coupled ocean-wave-atmosphere modelling chain to assess the impact of air-sea interactions on the wind resource
- Creation of a one-year database of winds, waves and currents generated using this coupled simulation
CONCLUSION
CASSIOWPE has made it possible to develop a coupled ocean-wave-atmosphere model and associated methodology that are extremely useful for studying meteo-oceanic processes. A one-year retrospective database has been created and validated using a wide range of observations. It stands out both for its high spatial and temporal resolution and for the diversity of meteocean variables simulated. It can be used for comparisons with the databases usually used by offshore wind sector.
Resources
Partners and funding
This project was led by the Laboratoire d’Océanographie Physique et Spatiale and France Energies Marines.
















The total project budget was €1,290K.
This project received funding from France Energies Marines and its members and partners, as well as French State funding managed by the French National Research Agency under the France 2030 investment plan. It also benefited from a public financial contribution from the SUD Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region and from the Pôle Mer Méditerranée.

Photo credit : Rkit / Pixabay