Wind-wave power available to a wave energy converter array

A theoretical expression of the wave power striking a rectilinear array of wave energy convertion devices in a random sea is derived. The theory is then applied to a linear array which is 1 km in length. For purposes of illustration, the Pierson-Neumann-James directional spectrum is used to represent the random sea. Comparison of the results obtained by using the present theory with those obtained from the previously accepted theory shows significant differences. First, the maximum available power predicted by the present theory is 75% of that predicted by the former theory. Secondly, power transmission is predicted when the wind direction and the array axis are parallel, whereas no power transmission was formerly predicted for this condition.