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The installation of wave energy converter (WEC) arrays near the coast can have significant impacts on sediment dynamics and coastal morphodynamics. However, methodologies for quantifying these impacts and strategies to minimize them are still in need of development. In this study, we assessed the coastal response to a WEC array on the La Guajira coast in the Colombian Caribbean using a two-step numerical strategy. We used the Delft-3D model to estimate the wave field, which was then transferred to the XBeach model to compute morphological changes. This modelling strategy was applied to three WEC array layouts and compared the morphological responses in terms of the distance and relative orientation of the WEC array to the coast. The results showed that the impact of the simulated WEC array on the beach response varied significantly depending on its distance from the coast, the configuration of the array, and its orientation. These findings highlight the need for further research to develop effective strategies for minimizing coastal erosion impacts on coastal ecosystems through innovative alternatives. Developing such strategies will be crucial to ensure the sustainable implementation of WEC arrays and other renewable energy technologies near the coast. • WECs have the capability to convert wave energy into useable electricity efficiently. • Coastal communities can benefit from renewable energy and coastal protection. • Delft 3 d and XBeach models are useful for estimating energy potential and beach erosion. • WECs array configuration is a key element in energy efficiency and wave reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper evaluates the wave modeling performance in the Gulf of Mexico and Western Caribbean Sea employing three different wind reanalysis data. Wind reanalysis is employed as the main forcing in wave generation/propagation numerical models. While the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWFs) ERA-40 reanalyses have been previously assessed in the performance for wave modeling, ECMWF''s ERA-interim and in particular NCEP''s North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) are more recent reanalyses. They both provide better resolution and description of the wind fields and have not been evaluated for long-term wave modeling. Therefore, the aim of this work is the assessment of the three different wind reanalyses on the wave hindcast performance. Attention is drawn on the wind reanalysis capability for predicting both mean and extreme wave conditions during two different periods: (i) an anomalous year where cyclonic events dominate the extreme wave climate in the region (2005); and (ii) a year with the wave climate dominated by synoptic events (2006). A third generation wave model, forced by the different wind reanalysis data, is calibrated with National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) buoys observations. Wind reanalysis data allow a consistent implementation of third generation wave models in order to predict the mean wave climate (correlation coefficient ∼0.84 for NCEP/NCAR, 0.94 for ERA-interim, 0.92 for NARR) for applied ocean studies. Numerical results revealed that both ERA-interim and NARR improve the wave modeling performance with respect to NCEP/NCAR (for extreme and non-extreme conditions), whereas the high- (spatial and temporal) resolution NARR data are more suitable for modeling extreme cyclonic events (i.e., hurricanes) in this region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]