The overall system optimisation of wave energy
converters remains a challenging task. Firstly, this
is associated with the large number of system
parameters and their related constraints, secondly,
the complexity of numerical system representations
capturing overall system behaviour and, thirdly, the
uncertainties in the prediction and formulation of
appropriate overall economic system performance
objectives.
The parameterisation and the modelling
challenges require a staged approach for an overall
system optimisation. This ranges from simplified
system representations exposed to variations within
a large parameter space to more sophisticated
system models subject to evaluation for a reduced
and focused parameter zone. The description of the
system dynamics, operation and performance needs
to capture the key characteristics of the WEC
concept functionality, the technical implementation
and the economic application from the beginning
and throughout the optimisation and development
process.
The paper describes the problems that are
associated with the widely employed sequential
development of wave energy converter (WEC)
systems from concept through technology to
economic application and presents the methodology
applied to the overall techno-economic system
optimisation and development process of Wavebob
WECs
