Abstract
Ocean energy conversion has been of interest for many years. Recent developments such as concern over global warming have renewed interest in the topic. Wave energy converters are complex and expensive to develop, and for this reason is this paper introducing the use of mathematical models and computer simulation as an important tool in system development.
The computational capabilities are not a problem any longer, but model construction still seems to be a hurdle.
A method well established as a valuable aid in constructing models of physical systems is the method of bond graphs. It is a multi-domain concise pictorial representation of the energy exchange in a system. In this paper we discuss issues related to physical system modelling and an outline of the bond graph language. A complete mathematical model of a floating buoy and semi-submersible platform with downstream hydraulic system is presented in addition to simulation results.