Regulatory, technical and financial challenges in the grid connection of wave energy devices

In considering the grid connection of ocean wave energy devices, and in particular, the connection of large offshore arrays, there are a number of technical and economic challenges that need to addressed by wave energy device developers. As device developers approach pre-commercial operation, grid connection factors will become increasingly significant in both technical and financial terms. In this study, some generally applicable, non-device specific challenges are examined. The costing issues involved in procuring, building and maintaining a grid connection are reviewed. The technical impacts on device design and particularly on generator system selection are also examined in detail. A grid connection costing case study in the Irish context is performed as a practical indicator of these issues.