Abstract
Two MarineLabs CoastScoutTM buoys were deployed off La Jolla, California in February 2020 to provide high-resolution wave elevation time series data in support of CalWave Power Technologies’ XWave WEC deployment. The buoys are positioned approximately 300m from a longterm wave monitoring operated by the Coastal Data Information Program. Both CoastScout hull types showed excellent agreement with the reference Datawell Directional Waverider MkIII, with Hs correlation coefficients over 0.98 and RMSE less than 0.08m. The CoastScout buoys maintained 98.7% uptime throughout the intercomparison period. CalWave used 5-Hz wave train data from this period to drive physical hardware-in-the-loop tests of the XWave power take-off. Throughout the deployment, the CoastScout buoys will provide near-real-time bulk wave parameters to help CalWave operators safely and efficiently operate the WEC. In post-processing, high-fidelity wave resolution will be used to associate individual waves with onboard measurements from Fiber Bragg Grating strain gauges and external pressure sensors.