Abstract
Control co-design (CCD) has gained popularity in recent years as a framework for optimising various design aspects of wave energy systems. The mooring system is a key component of floating wave energy converters (WECs), essential for station-keeping, but also significantly affects the overall dynamic response of a WEC. The integration of CCD with a focus on mooring optimisation presents a significant opportunity to enhance the techno-economic viability of WECs, given the substantial costs associated with mooring systems. This paper provides a comprehensive assessment of potential WEC CCD solutions for mooring optimisation, including the identification of key components of the CCD framework and the theoretical and simulation requirements for each part. Furthermore, the current state-of-the-art in WEC mooring CCD is reviewed, research gaps and technical challenges are identified, and opportunities for future research are outlined.