An Approximate Method To Calculate The Minimum Efficient Size Of A Wave Energy Converter, Including Submerged Devices

Abstract

The method is based on very simplified assumptions about the Wave Energy Converter (WEC) device, including that for reasonable effeciency the local water velocity should not be required to increase much above that existing in the absence of the WEC. Bottom-mounted devices, or intermediate-submersion devices fixed relative to the bottom, have considerable attractions over surface-mounted devides, including the abscence of navigational obstruction. However, this note ends with the gloomy conclusion that a reasonable compromise between effeciency and cost will be at least difficult for these, and only th esurface devices (with all their disadvantages) seem practicable, unless a major break-through is obtained in reduction of cost per unit area of submerged devices.