Constrained optimal control and hydrodynamic scaling of the RM3 two-body point absorber

This paper presents a comprehensive hydrodynamic and multiscale optimization framework for the Reference Model 3 wave energy converter deployed at the La Serena site, Chile. Using ERA5 reanalysis data, the study evaluates device performance within a rigorous numerical framework that compares uncontrolled and WecOptTool-optimized strategies. The optimization yields a mean site power of 183.43 kW —representing a 33.02% increase over the uncontrolled baseline of 137.89 kW —and an annual energy production of 1,606.81 MWh/yr , a net gain of 398.86 MWh/yr compared to the 1,207.95 MWh/yr base. Furthermore, the dominant sea state power reaches 236.31 kW under optimal control, a 14.34% improvement over the uncontrolled state. These metrics provide enhanced traceability, linking operational energy maximization directly to system design, structural loading limits, and overall capacity requirements for marine energy deployment.