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Electrical cable utilization for wave energy converters

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Abstract

This paper investigates the suitability of sizing the electrical export cable based on the rating of the contributing WECs within a farm. These investigations have produced a new methodology to evaluate the probabilities associated with peak power values on an annual basis. It has been shown that the peaks in pneumatic power production will follow an exponential probability function for a linear model. A methodology to combine all the individual probability functions into an annual view has been demonstrated on pneumatic power production by a Backward Bent Duct Buoy (BBDB). These investigations have also resulted in a highly simplified and perfunctory model of installed cable cost as a function of voltage and conductor cross-section. This work solidifies the need to determine electrical export cable rating based on expected energy delivery as opposed to device rating as small decreases in energy delivery can result in cost savings.

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Acknowledgements

This research was made possible by support from the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office’s Wind and Water Power Program. The research was in support of FOA 0000847: 2013 Open Water Test Infrastructure FOA awarded to Oregon State University for planning activities for The Pacific Marine Energy Center South Energy Test Site (PMEC-SETS). Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC., a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA-0003525.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Strategic Futures & Policy Analysis Department, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87185-127, USA

    Diana Bull

  2. Military and Energy Systems Analysis, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87185-1188, USA

    Michael Baca

  3. Energy Storage Technology and Systems Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87185-1108, USA

    Benjamin Schenkman

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  1. Diana Bull
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  2. Michael Baca
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  3. Benjamin Schenkman
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Correspondence to Diana Bull.

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Bull, D., Baca, M. & Schenkman, B. Electrical cable utilization for wave energy converters. J. Ocean Eng. Mar. Energy 4, 171–186 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40722-017-0102-x

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