Wave power performance of wave energy converters at high-energy areas of a semi-enclosed sea

Abstract

The paper focuses on the performance and determination of optimal installation depths of wave energy converter systems (WECs) in less intensified wave energy locations. Therefore, the study aims to investigate the changes in wave power production performance of different WECs along the coastline of the south-western parts of the Black Sea, a semi-enclosed sea. For this purpose, the data needed was extracted from the dataset produced for the period 1979 to 2009 using a calibrated nested layered wave hindcast SWAN version 41.01AB model forced with CFSR winds. The discussion focuses on the most essential five statistical parameters (dimensionless normalized wave power, efficiency index, capacity factor, capture width and energy production per unit of rated power) that can present an easy and more precise idea about the power production performance of WECs at different depths. The results present that the wave energy resource intensity is generally decreasing gradually from Karaburun to Sinop in the study area; the most energy intensified location is line KA, and the Oceantec WECs shows the best performance in its installation depth range. At different locations and depths, different WECs are more suitable for installation.