Operations and Maintenance Challenges in Wave Energy Conversion
A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Ocean Engineering".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2025 | Viewed by 47
Special Issue Editors
Interests: marine energy harvesting; wave energy conversion (WEC); oscillating water column (OWC); testing and demonstration; technology assessment; floating offshore wind platform
Interests: control systems; control applications; ocean energy; wind energy; wave energy; tidal energy; modelling and control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Wave energy conversion technology has demonstrated immense potential as a source of renewable energy, being capable of harnessing the power of ocean waves to generate electricity. However, despite significant advancements, the technology is not yet fully mature. Most of the devices that have been deployed so far are prototypes, and only a limited number of full-scale devices are in operation. This early stage of development presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly in terms of operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.
For wave energy to become a real alternative to fossil fuels, the challenge posed by the reduction in operational expenditure (OPEX) must be overcome. Effective and robust O&M practices are crucial not only for enhancing the reliability and performance of wave energy devices, but also for reducing the need for maintenance and increasing the scalability of wave energy power plants. Additionally, reducing both the time required for installation and maintenance is essential for optimizing operational windows, ensuring that power generation can be maximized during favourable weather conditions. These strategies must address the unique challenges posed by the harsh marine environment and the complexity of the technology itself. By enhancing the reliability of the system, minimizing downtime, and streamlining maintenance processes, the industry can move closer to achieving the maturity necessary for large-scale WECs.
This Special Issue aims to publish recent research findings regarding the challenges associated with operation and maintenance in wave energy conversion, with a focus on strategies that enhance reliability and reduce the time required for installation and maintenance, thus optimizing operational efficiency in order to accelerate the technological development of this promising energy source.
We welcome submissions related to O&M strategies and wave conversion systems whose scope includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:
- Prognostics and health management (predictive maintenance, RUL condition monitoring, etc.);
- The optimization of marine operations, i.e., installation, commissioning and maintenance;
- Cross-cutting technologies: the deployment of foundations, moorings, umbilical cables and connectors;
- Advanced materials for wave energy devices;
- Hybrid systems that share technical and operational resources: integrating wave/wind and wave/solar;
- Environmental impact assessment and mitigation.
Dr. Jon Lekube
Prof. Dr. Izaskun Garrido
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- wave energy conversion
- wave energy technologies
- reliability improvement
- maintenance strategies
- marine operations
- IO&M optimization
- operational expenditure (OPEX)
- environmental impact assessment
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