Per-unit wave energy converter system analysis

An wave energy converter (WEC) system is composed of hydrodynamic, mechanical, and electrical elements, along with the associated control. An integrated design approach that can optimize the attributes between design elements is desired, especially for a smaller WEC device that has size and cost constraints. This paper presents a per-unit analysis system for a point absorber WEC topology. The goal of the per-unit system is to provide insight into the complete system design regardless of the power scale and to assist in the sizing and specification of the disparate components. Empirical characteristics from a WEC are used in the per-unit system and electrical sizing results from an integrated WEC design that uses optimal and other control schemes are presented.