Design Methodology for a SEAREV Wave Energy Converter

This article will begin by presenting two power take-off (PTO) technologies for the SEAREV wave energy converter (WEC) followed by the design methodology applied to electromagnetic generator cycles for the "all-electric" solution. We will describe the operating principle associated with the SEAREV WEC before discussing the two conversion technologies intended to transform wave energy into electricity. The types of systems are twofold: hydroelectric and all-electric. The strong coupling between the hydrodynamic, mechanical and electrical phenomena heavily influences the behavior of the recovery (PTO) system and leads to a complex system design that requires a fullscale modeling description. A unique design methodology for the all-electric conversion chain has been developed around several distinct control modes, including one featuring power leveling.