Large-scale ocean wave energy plant modeling

Abstract

In order for wave energy conversion to be a commercially viable technology, wave energy researchers, developers, investors and utilities need an estimate of a wave energy converter's (WEC) power output at a potential installation site. The wind industry has developed generic turbine models that capture the general dynamics of large-scale proprietary wind turbine designs in order to estimate a turbine's power output for a given wind climate. Similar generic models need to be developed for WECs. Current WEC deigns vary significantly in design and technology. The focus of this paper is on developing a generic model structure for one of the prominent WEC designs, the two body point absorber. The model structure is developed by using time domain equations of motion (EOM) to define systems and subsystems as well as their corresponding inputs and outputs. The generic model structure is then extended by developing a hydraulic power take-off (PTO) system model.