Wave Energy Converter Deployments at the Navy's Wave Energy Test Site: 2015‐2019

Abstract

AbstractA synopsis of wave energy converter (WEC) deployments at the U.S. Navy's Wave Energy Test Site (WETS), from the mid-2015 commissioning of the full three-berth site through 2019, is provided. This includes two deployments each of the Northwest Energy Innovations (NWEI) Azura device and the Fred. Olsen Ltd. BOLT Lifesaver, each with important modifications between deployments. The Azura was modified with a larger float and a heave plate, aimed at enhancing power performance, while the Lifesaver's second deployment addressed mooring challenges encountered in the first. Additionally, unique integration and deployment of a sophisticated environmental sensing system developed by the University of Washington, in which required power was drawn from the WEC itself, was achieved during this second Lifesaver deployment. A brief background of the site is included, as is a synopsis of two major efforts not directly related to WEC deployments—the development of a site-dedicated support vessel and work to redesign and make repairs to the WETS deep berth mooring systems, including the addition of a “no-WEC hawser” system to keep the moorings in tension between WEC deployments. Finally, a look ahead to WEC deployments planned in 2021‐2023 is provided.