The amount of energy extractable from waves depends on the hydrodynamic characteristics of the Wave Energy Converter (WEC) system. Taking into account the type of WEC, the incident wave and the control strategy, optimal hydrodynamic characteristics can be found in order to achieve the maximum amount of energy. Maximum power can be transferred to the Power Take-Off (PTO) system when the optimal load impedance is equal to the complex conjugate of the intrinsic impedance. Taking into account that the complex conjugate of the intrinsic impedance is a non-causal system, it can be causalized by assigning the value related to the peak period of the incident-wave spectrum.
This paper presents an assessment of the appropriate matching frequency considering the spectral characteristics of the hydrodynamic variables involved in the process when reactive control is applied. Thus, the incident-wave spectrum, the excitation force spectrum and the intrinsic impedance of the system will be considered. The study will consider the variation of the power absorbed by the PTO system in irregular waves.
