Wave-to-wire simulation of a floating oscillating water column wave energy converter

Using a biradial air turbine with a radius and angular velocities designed to maximize mechanical power, the rated power of the PTO's Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) and generator are optimized to maximize annual energy production. Simulations of 36 differing sea states, constituting 71% of the annual wave energy transport for a Canadian Pacific location, provide an annual power production of 530 MWhr, with an overall wave-to-wire efficiency of 11.6%. Simulation variants with no external viscous drag and linearized moorings resulted in a 42% and 16% change in energy recovered while excluding air compressibility and internal viscous drag had limited influence.