Dimensioning Methodology for Energy Storage Devices and Wave Energy Converters supplying isolated loads

Abstract

One of the big issues ocean-wave energy faces nowadays is the oscillation of the generated power. Among others, energy storage is a solution that has been widely proposed and validated for an adequate grid or isolated load integration. However, the unpredictability of ocean waves may pose a challenge when specifying the energy storage system (ESS) technology and specifications, especially in the case of stand-alone operation. This study presents a suitable methodology for the design of a certain wave energy converter (WEC) and the calculation of a certain stochastic model of the latter necessary for the subsequent sizing of the ESS. As a result, the storage system is defined in terms of energy, power and type of technology for the specific WEC and chosen location. The problem is accomplished in this study describing systematically the method and solving a particular example of the design of a wave converter in the Gulf of Mexico.