Weber, Jochem and Teillant, Boris and Costello, Ronan and Ringwood, John and Soulard, Thomas (2011) Integrated WEC System Optimisation – Achieving Balanced Technology Development and Economical Lifecycle Performance. Proceedings of the 9th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC).

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Abstract

Successful development of economical wave energy converter (WEC) systems requires an integrated and balanced research technology development process and a thorough understanding of the economic performance criteria over the system lifecycle. Core performance attributes are associated with WEC concept, technology, operation and wavefarm economics and include survivability, power output, availability and cost. Both integrated system optimisation and successful research technology development routes require appropriate WEC system assessment tools. The paper describes the structure of an integrated techno-economic WEC system performance assessment framework. This comprises a WEC engineering analysis and a wavefarm lifecycle analysis. Both are presented in content and structure. Six core sub-models of the wavefarm lifecycle analysis are described and generic example results are provided. It is shown how the WEC system performance assessment framework provides a solid foundation for implementation of an integrated techno-economic WEC system optimisation. Finally, the importance of the assessment framework for identifying shortcomings in the development programme and in achieving an objective, efficient and successful research technology development process is discussed.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Wave Energy Converter; WEC; WEC performance assessment framework; WEC engineering analysis; wavefarm lifecycle analysis; WEC system optimisation; research technology development process;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Electronic Engineering Faculty of Science and Engineering > Research Institutes > Centre for Ocean Energy Research
Item ID:	3552
Depositing User:	Professor John Ringwood
Date Deposited:	30 Mar 2012 10:11
Journal or Publication Title:	Proceedings of the 9th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC)
Publisher:	School of Civil Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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