Identification of Wave Energy Device Models From Numerical Wave Tank Data—Part 1: Numerical Wave Tank Identification Tests

In this paper and its companion, the identification of mathematical models describing the behaviour of wave energy devices (WECs) in the ocean is investigated through the use of numerical wave tank (NWT) experiments. This paper deals with the identification tests used to produce the data for the model identification. NWTs, implemented using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), are shown as an effective platform to perform the identification tests. The design of the NWT experiments, to ensure the production of information-rich data for the model identification, is discussed. A case study is presented to illustrate the design and implementation of NWT experiments for the identification of WEC models.