Technological Cost-Reduction Pathways for Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converters in the Marine Hydrokinetic Environment.

This report considers and prioritizes the potential technical cost‐reduction pathways for offshore oscillating water columns in both terminator and point absorber configurations designed for ocean resources. This report focuses on cost‐reduction pathways related to the device technology rather than environmental monitoring or permitting opportunities. Three sources of information were used to understand current cost drivers and develop a prioritized list of potential cost‐reduction pathways: a literature review of technical work related to oscillating water columns, a reference device that was developed through the Reference Model project and was augmented with data compiled from literature sources, and a webinar with each of three industry device developers. Data from these information sources were aggregated and prioritized with respect to the potential impact on the lifetime levelized cost of energy, the potential for progress, the potential for success, and the confidence in success. Results indicated the four most promising cost‐reduction pathways include advanced controls, improved power conversion, an optimized structural design, and array optimization.