Multiple wave energy devices supported by a common structure represent one possible method of efficiently converting ocean wave energy into electricity. In this study, experimental measurements of multiple small-scale wave energy devices are reported to assist the development and validation of numerical models. Through observation and measurement, the response of two float geometries subjected to a range of wave conditions and device settings were determined. A range of regular wave conditions were identified that caused a linear relationship to occur between the heave displacement amplitude of the float and the incident wave amplitude. These test cases will enable comparisons to be made with linear simulations of response. Tests conducted in various wave conditions have highlighted the capability of altering the device response by changing the equilibrium draft of one float geometry. Additional damping on the upper surface of the float, due to wave overtopping, could be exploited as a method of limiting the heave response of the device in large amplitude waves. The influence of hydrodynamic interactions on arrays of closely spaced devices has been experimentally investigated for devices subjected to regular and irregular wave conditions. The magnitude and occurrence of interactions and their affect on the individual device response is demonstrably dependent on the incident wave frequency and device separation distance. Compared to an isolated device, positive interactions result in higher average power outputs for an array of devices at certain wave frequencies. Positive interactions occuring at particular wave frequencies are balanced by negative interactions at other wave frequencies, in agreement with published numerical studies of array performance. Varying the level of mechanical damping applied to the float through the power take-off system results in a frequency shift of the calculated power transfer function and alters the motion path of the float. This finding implies that the level of generator torque could be used as an alternative method to tune the response of the device based on the measured incident wave-field. Several time-averaged and time-varying approaches to simulating the response of a wave energy device subjected to wave-field forcing and undergoing free response have been studied. By comparing the simulated and measured responses, the feasibility of using linear and non-linear force terms in a time-varying model has been assessed. In general, single degree-of-freedom simulations based on linear hydrodynamic parameters tend to over-predict device response amplitudes, requiring the application of additional damping. The simulation approach which resulted in the closest agreement with measured responses required the combination of linear diffraction force and radiation added mass terms with non-linear drag and buoyancy force terms, as well as body inertia and gravity forces. This approach goes part way to simulating the complex time-varying hydrodynamics associated with a wave energy device subjected to wave-field forcing.

This master thesis is done within the Energy Systems Engineering program at Uppsala University and performed for CorPower Ocean. Wave energy converters (WECs) are devices that utilize ocean waves for generation of electricity. The WEC developed by CorPower Ocean is small and intended to be deployed in an array. Placed in an array the different WECs will interact hydrodynamically and the combined power output is altered. The aim of this thesis is to model and investigate how the array configuration affects the electric power output. The goal is to target an optimal array layout for CorPower Ocean WECs, considering both average power and power smoothness in the optimization.   In this thesis multiple buoys have been implemented in the time-domain model at CorPower Ocean. The hydrodynamic interactions are computed using an analytical interactions theory together with a recently developed calibration method able of handling WEC bodies of complicated shapes. The array behavior in regular waves is analyzed and it is identified how the beneficial separation distances vary with wave length. It is observed that the best separation distances for high average power does not exactly correspond to the best for minimizing the peak-to-average power. Simulation results show that it is possible to obtain both high average array power as well as increased power smoothening in a regular wave. A genetic algorithm for optimizing the array configuration is designed and tested for two different array patterns. Initial simulations are conducted in realistic multi-directional irregular waves. The power smoothening capacity of the array remains even in these conditions but the exact extent of it is still uncertain.   This thesis delivers a WEC array simulation model as well as an initial view on the array characteristics of the phase controlled CorPower Ocean WEC. Additionally, it demonstrates an optimization algorithm taking both average power and power smoothness into account.