Abstract
This document outlines a methodology for assessing the performance of Wave Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) at open sea test sites. The development of the wave power industry is still at an early stage and very few data have been recorded by WECS in open sea conditions. The document is a draft and has been used as the basis for an international standard that will be published as IEC TS 62600 – Part 100 Power performance assessment of electricity producing wave energy converters which will be issued later in 2012.
The purposes of performance assessment may be summarised as follows:
- To provide an agreed methodology for the measurement of the power output of the WECS in a range of sea states
- To provide an agreed framework for the reporting of the results of these measurements
- To enable the estimation of the energy production of a WECS at a prospective site where wave power resource information of sufficient detail and quality exists
The achievement of these aims will allow developers of WECS to demonstrate to potential operators that their systems meet their claimed performance. More generally, the development of rigorous and agreed performance standards will build the credibility of the wave power industry as a whole.