Signature Projects are intended to bring focus to a selection of U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) projects. By designating a Signature Project, the project reports, datasets, and associated papers can be easily discoverable. By bringing together all aspects of a project, whether a completed legacy project or an ongoing investigation, the MRE community can be informed of what investigations have been undertaken, which have succeeded, what tools are available, and where gaps in information persist.

WEC-Sim

Project Purpose

Development, maintenance, and support of WEC-Sim (Wave Energy Converter SIMulator), an open-source code for simulating wave energy converters.

    Project Description

    WEC-Sim (Wave Energy Converter SIMulator) is an open-source code for simulating wave energy converters. The code is developed in MATLAB/Simulink using the multi-body dynamics solver Simscape Multibody. WEC-Sim has the ability to model devices that are comprised of rigid bodies, joints, power take-off systems, and mooring systems. Simulations are performed in the time-domain by solving the governing wave energy converter equations of motion in 6 degrees-of-freedom. The WEC-Sim project is a collaboration between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office.

    Project Methods

    Modeling wave energy converters (WECs) involves the interaction between the incident waves, device motion, power-take-off (PTO mechanism), and mooring. WEC-Sim uses a radiation and diffraction method (Babarit et al. 2012, Li et al. 2012) to predict power performance and design optimization. The radiation and diffraction method generally obtains the hydrodynamic forces from a frequency-domain boundary element method (BEM) solver using linear coefficients to solve the system dynamics in the time domain. The WEC-Sim code is developed in MATLAB/Simulink using the multi-body dynamics solver Simscape Multibody.

    For more information, please visit the WEC-Sim Theory page.

    Key Findings/Applications

    For more information, please visit the WEC-Sim Release Notes page. 

    Associated Marine Energy Engineering Documents

    Total results: 69
    Title Author Date Type of Content Technology Collection Method Application
    Ocean Energy Systems Wave Energy Modeling Task 10.4: Numerical Modeling of a Fixed Oscillating Water Column Bingham, H., Yu, Y-H., Nielsen, K. Journal Article Wave, Oscillating Water Column Lab Data, Modeling, Scale Device Hydrodynamics, Performance
    Numerical analysis of a new multi-body floating wave energy converter with a linear power take-off system Chandrasekaran, S., Sricharan, V. Journal Article Wave, Point Absorber Modeling Hydrodynamics, Power Take Off
    Numerical Model Development of a Variable-Geometry Attenuator Wave Energy Converter Pardonner, D., Tom, N., Guo, Y. Conference Paper Wave, Attenuator Modeling Performance
    Development and Validation of Passive Yaw in the Open-Source WEC-Sim Code Forbush, D., Ruehl, K., Ogden, D. Conference Paper Wave, Oscillating Wave Surge Converter Modeling Hydrodynamics
    Computational modelling and experimental tank testing of the multi float WaveSub under regular wave forcing Faraggiana, E., Whitlam, C., Chapman, J. Journal Article Wave, Point Absorber Lab Data, Modeling, Scale Device Hydrodynamics, Performance, Power Take Off
    Influence of Time and Frequency Domain Wave Forcing on the Power Estimation of a Wave Energy Converter Array Rollano, F., Tran, T., Yu, Y. Journal Article Wave Performance
    Review of WEC-Sim Development and Applications Yu, Y., Ruehl, K., Tom, N. Conference Paper Wave Modeling
    Experimental and numerical comparisons of a dual-flap floating oscillating surge wave energy converter in regular waves Ruehl, K., Forbush, D., Yu, Y. Journal Article Wave, Oscillating Wave Surge Converter Lab Data, Modeling, Scale Device Hydrodynamics, Performance
    Analysis on the Influence of an Energy Storage System and its Impact to the Grid for a Wave Energy Converter Stefek, J., Bain, D., Yu, Y. Conference Paper Wave Modeling Grid Integration, Power Take Off
    Ocean Energy Systems Wave Energy Modelling Task: Modelling, Verification and Validation of Wave Energy Converters Wendt, F., Nielsen, K., Yu, Y. Journal Article Wave, Point Absorber Lab Data, Modeling, Scale Device Hydrodynamics, Performance
    Predicting the Dynamic Characteristics of a Fully Submerged Wave Energy Converter Subjected to a Power Take-Off Failure using a High-Fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics Model Tran, T., Krueger, A, Gunawan, B. Conference Paper Wave, Point Absorber Modeling Mooring, Power Take Off
    Multi-directional waves and time domain perturbed field visualization of the WaveSub device Faraggiana, E., Masters, I., Chapman, J. Conference Paper Marine Energy, Wave, Point Absorber Modeling Hydrodynamics, Performance, Power Take Off
    Preliminary load assessment: UMBRA’s 250kW EMG power take-off Cruz, J., Atcheson, M., Martins, T. Conference Paper Marine Energy, Wave, Pressure Differential, Point Absorber, Oscillating Wave Surge Converter Modeling Power Take Off
    Load shedding characteristics of an oscillating surge wave energy converter with variable geometry Choiniere, M., Tom, N., Thiagarajan, K. Journal Article Wave, Oscillating Wave Surge Converter Lab Data, Modeling, Scale Device Performance
    A Wave Energy Converter Design Load Case Study van Rig, J., Yu, Y., Guo, Y. Journal Article Wave Modeling, Scale Device Structural
    Extreme Load Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis and Verification for a Multibody Wave Energy Converter van Rij, J., Yu, Y., McCall, A. Conference Paper Wave Modeling, Scale Device
    An energy-maximising MPS solution to the WEC control competition Tona, P., Sabiron, G., Nguyen, H. Conference Paper Wave, Point Absorber Lab Data, Modeling, Scale Device Control
    Development of a model predictive controller for the wave energy converter control competition Ling, B. Conference Paper Wave, Point Absorber Modeling Control
    The Wave Energy Converter Control Competition: Overview Ringwood, J., Ferri, F., Tom, N. Conference Paper Wave Control
    Modeling of a Wave Energy Oscillating Water Column as a Point Absorber Using WEC-Sim So, R., Bosma, B., Ruehl, K. Journal Article Wave, Oscillating Water Column Lab Data, Modeling, Scale Device Array Effects, Hydrodynamics, Performance
    Learning a Predictionless Resonating Controller for Wave Energy Converters Shi, S., Patton, R., Abdelrahman, M. Conference Paper Wave, Point Absorber Modeling Control, Performance
    OES Task 10 WEC heaving sphere performance modelling verification Nielsen, K., Wendt, F., Yu, Y. Conference Paper Wave, Point Absorber Modeling Hydrodynamics
    Short-term extreme response and fatigue damage of an integrated offshore renewable energy system Li, L., Cheng, Z., Yuan, Z. Journal Article Current, Tidal, Wave, Point Absorber Modeling Hybrid Devices, Mooring, Performance
    Numerical Model Development and Validation for the WECCOMP Control Competition Tom, N., Ruehl, K., Ferri, F. Conference Paper Wave, Point Absorber Lab Data, Modeling, Scale Device Control, Performance
    Outline Load Assessment Numerical Tool RiaSoR Report Wave Modeling
    Towards realistically predicting the power outputs of wave energy converters: Nonlinear simulation Wang, Y., Wang, L. Journal Article Wave, Oscillating Wave Surge Converter Modeling Hydrodynamics, Performance
    Dynamic response and power production of a floating integrated wind, wave and tidal energy system Li, L., Gao, Y., Yuan, Z. Journal Article Current, Tidal, Wave, Point Absorber Modeling Hybrid Devices, Performance
    Ocean power technology design optimization van Rij, J., Yu, Y., Edwards, K. Journal Article Wave, Point Absorber Lab Data, Modeling, Scale Device Hydrodynamics, Performance, Structural
    Mechanical design and simulation of an onshore four-bar wave energy converter Albert, A., Berselli, G., Bruzzone, L. Journal Article Wave Modeling Hydrodynamics, Performance, Power Take Off
    Investigating the adaptability of the multi-pump multi-piston power take-off system for a novel wave energy converter Wei, Y., Barradas-Berglind, J., van Rooij, M. Journal Article Wave, Point Absorber Lab Data, Modeling, Scale Device Array Effects, Hydrodynamics, Power Take Off
    International Energy Agency Ocean Energy Systems Task 10 Wave Energy Converter Modeling Verification and Validation Wendt, F., Yu, Y., Nielsen, K. Conference Paper Wave, Point Absorber Modeling Hydrodynamics
    Shape Optimization for the Submerged Body of a Two-Body Wave Energy Converter Martin, D., Wise, A., Laing, C. Conference Paper Wave, Point Absorber Modeling Hydrodynamics, Performance
    Inclusion of Structural Flexibility in Design Load Analysis for Wave Energy Converters Guo, Y., Yu, Y., van Rij, J. Conference Paper Wave Modeling Structural
    Experimental evaluation of different hydrodynamic modelling techniques applied to the ISWEC Pozzi, N., Castino, A., Vissio, G. Conference Paper Wave Lab Data, Modeling, Scale Device Hydrodynamics, Performance
    A competition for WEC control systems Ringwood, J., Ferri, F., Ruehl, K. Conference Paper Wave, Point Absorber Lab Data, Modeling, Scale Device Control, Performance
    A Frequency-Domain Model for a Novel Wave Energy Converter Wei, Y., Yu, Z., Barradas-Berglind, J. Conference Paper Wave, Point Absorber Modeling Array Effects, Hydrodynamics, Performance
    Study of a Novel Oscillating Surve Wave Energy Converter Choiniere, M., Tom, N., Thiagrajan, K. Conference Paper Wave, Oscillating Wave Surge Converter Lab Data, Modeling, Scale Device Hydrodynamics, Performance
    Statistical Analysis of a 1:7 Scale Field Test Wave Energy Converter Using WEC-Sim So, R., Michelen, C., Bosma, B. Journal Article Wave, Point Absorber Field Data, Modeling, Scale Device Hydrodynamics, Performance
    Ocean wave energy in the United States: Current status and future perspectives Lehmann, M., Karimpour, F., Goudey, C. Journal Article Current, Wave
    Analysis of a Wave-Powered, Reverse-Osmosis System and Its Economic Availability in the United States Yu, Y., Jenne, D. Conference Paper Wave, Oscillating Wave Surge Converter Modeling Grid Integration, Performance
    Structural Loads Analysis for Wave Energy Converters van Rij, J., Yu, Y., Guo, Y. Conference Paper Wave Modeling Structural
    High-Order Mooring Simulations for Increased Accuracy in Wave Energy Applications Palm, J., Eskilsson, C., Bergdahl, L. Conference Paper Wave Modeling Mooring
    Coupled Mooring Analyses for the WEC-Sim Wave Energy Converter Design Tool Sirnivas, S., Yu, Y-H., Hall, M. Conference Paper Wave Modeling, Scale Device Mooring
    Assessment of loads and performance of a wave energy converter for the Mediterranean Sea Agati, G., Alikhani, A., Borello, D. Conference Paper Wave Lab Data, Modeling
    Structural Forces and Stresses for Wave Energy Devices Ove Arup & Partners Ltd, Cruz Atcheson Consulting Engineers, Lda. Report Wave Performance, Structural
    WEC-Sim Phase 1 Validation Testing-Experimental Setup and Initial Results Bosma, B., Simmons, A., Lomonaco, P. Conference Paper Wave Lab Data, Modeling
    Application of the Most Likely Extreme Response Method for Wave Energy Converters Quon, E., Platt, A., Yu, Y. Conference Paper Wave, Point Absorber Modeling
    WEC-Sim Phase 1 Validation Testing-Numerical Modeling of Experiments Ruehl, K., Michelen, C., Bosma, B. Conference Paper Wave Lab Data, Modeling, Scale Device
    Coupled Mooring Analyses for the WEC-Sim Wave Energy Converter Design Tool Sirnivas, S., Yu, Y., Hall, M. Conference Paper Wave, Point Absorber Lab Data, Modeling, Scale Device Mooring
    Techno-Economic Analysis Framework for Wave Energy Conversion Schemes under South African Conditions: Modeling and Simulations Biyela, S., Cronje, W. Journal Article Wave Modeling
    Displaying 1 - 50 of 69 results