Prior to issuing technology development calls, Wave Energy Scotland carries out landscaping studies to identify the state of the art for the selected technology development areas. This landscaping study investigates the typical structural forces and stresses expected to be encountered by Wave Energy Converters (WECs).
The report is aimed at developers of WEC devices and others in the supply chain who have a stake in the design, fabrication, operation and certification of wave energy converters. The objective of this report is to provide guidance on the application of relevant methods and standards to the design and analysis of WEC devices. The report is not intended to be a definitive nor an exhaustive list of design requirements, rather an interpretation of existing methods and standards in the context of WECs.
The report is broadly presented in two Sections with distinct objectives. Section 1 aims to highlight existing standards and practices that are relevant to WECs; Section 2 aims to propose suitable methodologies for the load assessment and structural analysis of WECs through interpretation of these standards and practices. The report builds on previous studies which have provided more practical guidance but may have focused on a single software or device, rather than providing an independent overview of alternative techniques.
The report also includes the results of a survey of active WEC developers. The findings of this survey show that the developer community is making use of a range of tools and techniques. However, these are not always deployed at the right stages of design development, and not necessarily to the level of detail appropriate for the maturity of the technology being pursued. These survey findings suggest that the industry is not operating as effectively as it could and that the industry would benefit if robust methodologies were in place.
A representative example is also presented to demonstrate certain methodologies described in this report. This example highlights some of the challenges that the industry faces which could be addressed through the provision of further guidance beyond this report. The report concludes with a suggested methodology for load and structural analysis of WECs.
The project was delivered by Ove Arup & Partners (Scotland) Ltd with partners Cruz Atcheson Consulting Engineers Lda.
Project Keywords: Design Load Cases, FMEA, Fatigue, Ultimate Limit State, Standards, Landscaping
This landscaping study investigates the electrical connection infrastructure of wave farms. It aims to identify cost reduction opportunities specific to the electrical connection infrastructure, whereby cost efficiencies made in the supporting infrastructures would in turn improve the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) for wave farms overall.
The objective of this Mooring and Foundation Landscaping Study was to give an overview of the current landscape while exploring the potential of mooring and foundation innovations to make an impact on reducing the cost of energy for wave energy converters (WECs).
This report describes a study commissioned by Wave Energy Scotland (WES) into the potential of very large scale (10MW+) Wave Energy Converters (WECs) which aims to quantify opportunities associated with very large scale wave energy generation and provide recommendations for the future approach to its realisation.
Wave Energy Scotland (WES) has commissioned this landscaping study with the aim of identifying and analysing potential alternative generation technologies which may provide opportunities for use in wave energy and provide a step change reduction in the delivered cost of energy.
This Landscaping Study explores the use of materials, coatings and structures in the wider engineering and industrial sectors that may be relevant to the progression of wave energy technology.
This Landscaping Study provides an assessment on the technological challenges facing the wave energy sector and of the cross-sector potential for technology transfer.
This additional Controls documentation provides a condensed background description of Power Take Off modelling requirements, and Power Take Off specifications for control systems developers.
This Landscaping Study provides a description of WEC control requirements in both generalised and control-centric terms so as to encourage engagement with the wider control engineering community.
This report describes a study commissioned by Wave Energy Scotland (WES) into the potential of very large scale (10MW+) Wave Energy Converters (WECs) which aims to quantify opportunities associated with very large scale wave energy generation and provide recommendations for the future approach to its realisation.
SMMP stage 1 project summary report for the Ove Arup Concrete as a Technology Enabler (CREATE) project. Includes a description of the technology, scope of work, achievements and recommendations for further work.
Stage 2 report for Ove Arup's CREATE (Concrete as a Technology Enabler) project. This includes design work undertaken and targeting the technical risks for the wave energy devices identified at stage 1.
