Articles | Volume 11, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-2287-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-2287-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
01 Jul 2026
Research article |
| 01 Jul 2026
| 01 Jul 2026
The impact of sea breezes on offshore wind energy resources in Australia
ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Claire Vincent
ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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We developed software to identify sea breezes from weather model output, using three different methods, and applied these to four models for a 6-month period over Australia. We tested each method using case studies and statistics of sea breeze occurrences, finding that a method that identifies atmospheric moisture fronts performs well. Some potential errors are demonstrated due to detection of other frontal systems, but this method could be useful for robustly analyzing sea breezes from models.
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A computer model that simulates the climate of southeastern Australia is shown here to represent extreme wind events associated with convective storms. This is useful as it allows us to investigate possible future changes in the occurrences of these events, and we find in the year 2050 that our model simulates a decrease in the number of occurrences. However, the model also simulates too many events in the historical climate compared with observations, so these future changes are uncertain.
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Mass coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef is driven by unusually warm ocean temperatures, but cloud cover also plays a critical role by regulating how much sunlight reaches the ocean. This study examines daily patterns of clouds and rainfall over north-east Queensland during bleaching seasons using satellite, radar, and regional weather data. Clouds and rainfall patterns differ between land, ocean and wind conditions, helping improve understanding of processes influencing reef heat stress.
Andrew Brown, Claire Vincent, and Ewan Short
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We developed software to identify sea breezes from weather model output, using three different methods, and applied these to four models for a 6-month period over Australia. We tested each method using case studies and statistics of sea breeze occurrences, finding that a method that identifies atmospheric moisture fronts performs well. Some potential errors are demonstrated due to detection of other frontal systems, but this method could be useful for robustly analyzing sea breezes from models.
Claire L. Vincent, Adam Nahar, and Kelvin Say
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The most important days for wind energy to make a large contribution to the electricity supply are when electricity demand is high. We examined the wind resource of southeast Australia on these days. We found that most hot high-demand days are influenced by a similar weather pattern, while cold high-demand days can be cold, wet, and windy or associated with widespread light winds. These results are important when considering the types of weather that could influence future wind energy.
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A computer model that simulates the climate of southeastern Australia is shown here to represent extreme wind events associated with convective storms. This is useful as it allows us to investigate possible future changes in the occurrences of these events, and we find in the year 2050 that our model simulates a decrease in the number of occurrences. However, the model also simulates too many events in the historical climate compared with observations, so these future changes are uncertain.
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We investigate how wind speed at the height of a wind turbine changes during El Niño and La Niña years and with season and time of day in southeastern Australia. We found that El Niño and La Niña can cause average wind speed differences of around 1 m s-1 in some regions. The highest wind speeds occur in the afternoon or evening around mountains or the coast and during the night for inland areas. The results help show how placement of wind turbines can help balance electricity generation.
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Short summary
Sea breezes are characterised in potential offshore wind development areas in Australia. For most areas in summer, there are more available wind resources in the afternoon on days with sea breezes (by 15 %–30 %), with higher operational energy demand due to warmer air temperatures. The afternoon peak in wind speeds occurs at around the same time as peak energy demand. These findings have implications for energy system planning and wind farm development.
Sea breezes are characterised in potential offshore wind development areas in Australia. For...
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