1 Scope
Wave Energy Converters (WEC) are designed to operate efficiently at different locations.
Systematic methods are used to evaluate the power performance of a WEC at a second
location (hereinafter Location 2) based on power performance assessment at a first
location (hereinafter Location 1). The degree of similarity of the measured WEC (WEC
1) and the metocean conditions at Location 1 to the secondary WEC (WEC 2) at Location
2 determine the methodology and the applicability of this document.
This document applied in conjunction with the IEC Technical Specification on wave
energy resource assessment and characterization (IEC TS 62600‑101), provides a method for estimation of the mean annual energy production of a WEC,
assessing the electrical power production performance of a single, non-array, wave
energy converter, at Location 2 based on the performance at Location 1.
The scope of this document includes:
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a) All wave energy converters that produce electrical power from wave energy.
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b) All sea resource zones (near and offshore, deep and shallow water).
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c) Capture width matrix transposition from one location to another.
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d) Limitation on the changes that are allowed to the WEC and the specification of the location.
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e) Wave data required at Location 2, as a minimum the requirements found in IEC TS 62600‑101.
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f) Development of the capture width matrix at Location 2.
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g) Validation of the capture width matrix at Location 2.
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h) Assessment of uncertainties in the derived performance parameters at Location 2.
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i) Requirements for the allowable power performance transfer by geometric, kinematic and dynamic similarity.
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j) Requirements for the allowable incorporation of additional empirical model data.
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k) Requirements for the allowable incorporation of additional numerical model data.
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l) The document applies to commercial scale wave energy converters that are:
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1) compliantly moored.
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2) tautly moored.
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3) bottom mounted.
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4) shore mounted.
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The scope of this document does not include:
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a) Wave energy converters that produce nonelectrical energy.
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b) Resource assessment.
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c) Scaled devices in test facilities (tank or scaled sea conditions) where any scaling would be carried out to extrapolate results for a full-scale device.
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d) Power quality issues.
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e) Environmental issues.
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f) Operation and maintenance.
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g) Annual energy production (AEP).
This document provides a systematic method which includes:
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• measurement of WEC capture width in a range of sea states.
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• transposition of capture width from one location to a second location.
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• an agreed framework for reporting the results of capture width and wave measurements.
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• estimate of the capture width of a modified WEC at Location 2. This work would include the development of parameters for the modified WEC for the second location.
This document provides:
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• guidance on the use of observations from Location 1.
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• methods for assessing and reporting the validity of numerical and physical models.
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• limits on the permissible changes to the WEC between Locations 1 and 2.
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• limits on the use of data fitting techniques, and
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• requirements for reporting.
The wave power industry is at an early stage of development. There is little practical
experience with field-scale WECs deployment. Because of this, the present document
will be subject to change as more data is collected and experience with wave energy
converters develops.