The primary purposes of this Annex/Task 3 are to conduct cooperative research concerning the generation, transmission, and economics of integrating ocean energy into electrical grids and to provide a forum for relevant information exchange. Specific objectives of the Annex are as follows:

• Identify potential differences and opportunities associated with integration of wave and tidal current energy plants to electrical grids, in comparison to wind energy,
   
• Develop a relevant interconnection guideline for electrical utilities and/or project developers considering connecting pilot wave and tidal current projects to the grids,
   
• Create a comprehensive database for characterizing well advanced wave and tidal current conversion systems,
   
• Demonstrate integration of wave & tidal current energy plants to electrical grids through case studies involving simplified network modeling techniques, and identify the near-term & longer-term practical level of the ocean power that could be integrated in target geographical areas for a member country, and
   
• Coordinate the work of this Annex with relevant activities being carried out within IEA as well as by individual participating members.

The programme consisted on the following Subtasks:

Subtask 3.1: Identify issues and opportunities

The scope of this subtask includes identifying integration issues that are different from those involved with the integration of wind energy and the opportunities associated with the integration of ocean energy. Based on an analysis of the issues and opportunities, an interconnection guideline will be developed.

Task Leader: Canada

Subtask 3.2: Describe the dynamic characteristics of ocean energy electricity generators

The scope of this subtask includes:

• Reviewing the steady-state power characteristics of device types
• Developing a dynamic model for devices
• Analyzing the impact of a wave/tidal current generator on the design of an offshore network

There is a need to gather and develop an authoritative, comprehensive and unbiased dynamic characteristics of relevant wave and tidal current conversion technologies, and to present results in such a way that these models can be easily used for carrying out load flow and network stability analysis.

Task Leader: Ireland

Subtask 3.3: Identify the near-term and longer-term practical potential of ocean power, through case studies involving the integration of ocean energy plants with distribution and transmission networks

The scope of this subtask includes carrying out case studies involving network modelling for integrating ocean energy plants into distribution and transmission networks.

Specific case studies involving some target market areas within participating countries will also determine the present capacity limits for integrating ocean energy resources. The case studies will determine what could be obvious market potential for ocean energy resources in these target areas, and the associated distribution and transmission grid upgrading costs, considering future scenarios. These simplified case studies must consider a system-wide perspective. They could also include a cross-boarder network analysis to determine capacity and identify congestion.

Contributions from the participating members for this subtask will be in the form of case studies that:

Illustrate network modelling:
Identify grid constraints and limitations and the synergy of integration with other renewable energy forms such as offshore wind combined with offshore wave and ocean renewable energy combined with hydropower and other types of generation

Task Leader: UK

Subtask 3.4: Coordinate activities

The scope of this subtask is primarily to coordinate the activities of this Annex with other relevant IEA implementing agreements and initiatives.

Task Leader: UK  

Each participant has agreed to contribute 3000 Euro to Task/Annex 3. 

The Annex was approved by the OES Executive Committee in Lisbon, November 2006 meeting. It was initiated in 2007 and concluded in March 2011.

• Canada
• Ireland
• New Zealand
• Spain
• United Kingdom