Analytical estimates of short duration mean power output and variability for deepwater wave power generation

Abstract

With deepwater wave power generation being seriously considered as a viable option across the marine vicinity of India, seasonal disparity of mean power as well as short duration power variability are of interest in the context of site and technology selection. Past experience with an onshore wave power installation in the region has not been altogether encouraging, which justifies good concern on the two aspects. This paper formulates closed form analytical expressions for short duration mean power generation and associated variability that may be conveniently employed for prior estimates of the two measures with reference to prospective installation sites and wave energy converter (WEC) technologies. The formulae evolved can serve as useful support at the stage of project planning and resource assessment, as well as for general viability analysis of marine power generation. As part of the exercise, the concept of capture width function is introduced for feasible operating points of a WEC technology, inclusive of functional morphing and statistical morphing effects on output power. Illustrative examples cover eight deepwater grids spread across the marine neighborhood of India, and two candidate WEC technologies considered for operational viability.