DNV is developing a process to assess the reliability and availability of wave and tidal energy systems in an objective manner. This includes dealing with the uncertainties and lack of available data, while managing the reliability from concept to decommissioning.

For many stakeholders, the success or failure of a wave or tidal energy concept is strongly linked to the cost of energy. Predictions of cost of energy are comprised of several uncertain estimates until the full-scale device is operating and producing energy for the grid, which can make early deterministic predictions highly subjective.

One of the most significant uncertainties involved is the level of reliability or availability which is likely for a given design. DNV has made significant progress on the development of a verifiable reliability assessment process aimed at managing the available data and associated uncertainties, and managing the reliability throughout the device’s lifetime from concept to decommissioning.