Power optimization for an oscillating surge wave energy converter with motion amplitude constraints

Realistic wave energy converters are complex systems, and a comprehensive model that incorporates the physical properties and reciprocal interactions of all subsystems is required. Our analysis reveals that the conventional approach of representing power delivery with an equivalent electrical damping coefficient is not sufficient to fully capture the system dynamics, and optimizing output power based solely on this metric as an independent variable may not yield the true maximum. Limiting the motion of an ocean wave energy converter is essential to enhance system stability and survivability in harsh ocean environments. However, motion constraints introduce a power–saturation phenomenon under high input excitation, and addressing this issue is critical for ensuring efficient energy harnessing. This study provides optimal conditions for subsystems in motion–unconstrained scenarios and establishes analytical solutions for complex load and maximum output power under constrained operations. The obtained results demonstrate that adapting the complex load in accordance with input torque amplitude significantly increases power output in strong torque regimes. These findings form a framework for optimizing the power generation of a wave energy converter and inform control co–design strategies.