Wave-to-wire modelling of oscillating water column wave energy converters and design optimisation for the Mediterranean Sea

The Ph.D. Thesis describes the modelling and the results of an analytical wave-to-wire model of OWC wave energy converters for the investigation of the entire process of energy transformation from sea waves to the electric wire. This approach is particularly suitable during the early design stages to evaluate the energy extractable from sea waves and properly select the location and the main geometric and operating parameters of the system. The model performs a comprehensive simulation of the entire system to estimate the electric energy production for a specific sea state, based on the joint solution of the analytical models of the three main converters, represented by the chamber, turbine, and generator.