The purpose of this chapter is to describe the taxonomy of a number of wave and tidal MEC configurations, so that the reader can understand the principal subassemblies involved and then start to consider how these sub-assemblies can be arranged to generate and transmit electrical energy reliably to shore. The intent will be to develop a standard way of presenting various devices, so that the reader could apply the same methodology to any prototype under consideration. This will then be used to apply some of the reliability modelling techniques.

Chapter Contents:

• 6.1 Introduction
• 6.2 Wave device configurations
• 6.3 Tidal device configurations
• 6.4 Device configuration taxonomy
• 6.4.1 General concepts and configurations
• 6.4.2 Systems, populations and operating experience
• 6.5 Analysis of device concepts
• 6.6 Summary

Inspec keywords: reliability; hydroelectric power

Other keywords: MEC device taxonomy effects; reliability modelling technique; tidal MEC configuration

Subjects: Energy resources; Tidal and flow energy; Reliability