Design & development of assistive tools for future applications in the field of renewable ocean energy

This paper describes innovations within a set of assistive tools and technologies for system integration, deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of ocean energy devices (wave energy converters and tidal turbines). These tools comprise of simulation, modelling, control and visualisation tools, including modelling of ocean waves, currents, surface and submerged energy converters, marine platforms and supporting vessels (ships and ROVs). The flexible design of these tools enables their use as separate standalone modules, as well as their integration into a unique integrated system. Four main innovations of the proposed system are 2D Advanced Topview Display, Advanced Pilot Interface, 3D Real-Time Augmented Reality Display and Advanced Control System with Fault-Tolerant Capabilities. System validation and technology demonstration was performed through a series of test trials with different ROVs and support vessels off the west coast of Ireland, in Galway Bay and Shannon Estuary. Selected results of these trials are presented in this paper.