There is need for a framework to support the development and application of Wave Energy Converter (WEC) as an alternative source for power generation. The gaps in existing literature reveal that, the issue undermining the growth of the wave energy industry is lack of a single consistent and well documented source of information; which clearly defines the approach for preliminary assessment. The Operation and Maintenance (O&M) aspect are often not included in the feasibility studies. This is the reason for the variation surrounding the cost of electricity production using WECs. The research aims to bridge these gaps by providing an integrated framework that presents the methodology for preliminary assessment of a WEC farm project. In contrast to other studies, this research seeks to investigate the wave energy resource and contributes to providing the relevant tools to investigate the future market potential, together with opportunities for cost reduction of electricity generation using WECs. The need for understanding the offshore environment is highlighted to facilitate reliable energy yield predictions and strategies for O&M of the WEC farm. The main contribution and novelty of this thesis in comparison to past studies is the integrated framework. This is significant to support investment decisions because as well as providing a solution to the problem of resource assessment, the issues associated with variation in the O&M cost estimates are critically analysed. Results suggest that variation in the O&M cost estimates can be attributed to the decision of employing the O&M vessel for maintenance of only a single device in a WEC farm. The lack of operational experience in the wave energy sector, is identified as another problem experienced when attempting to quantify the profitability of a WEC farm project. This research addresses the problem by providing a basis and renewed support for potential wave energy industries and requirement for a generic methodology which considers the resource assessment, O&M cost and economic value of the WEC farm. Keywords: Resource Assessment, O&M, Cost, Integrated Framework.
| Date of Award | 2 Oct 2018 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Awarding Institution | - University Of Strathclyde
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| Supervisor | Iraklis Lazakis (Supervisor) & Sandy Day (Supervisor) |
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