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Wave energy, as a significant renewable and clean energy source with vast global reserves, exhibits no greenhouse gas or other pollution during real-sea operational conditions. However, throughout the entire lifecycle, wave energy convertors can produce additional CO2 emissions due to the use of raw materials and emissions during transportation. Based on laboratory test data from a wave energy convertor model, this study ensures consistency between the model and the actual sea-deployed wave energy convertors in terms of performance, materials, and geometric shapes using similarity criteria. Carbon emission factors from China, the European Union, Brazil, and Japan are selected to predict the carbon emissions of wave energy convertors in real-sea conditions. The research indicates: (1) The predicted carbon emission coefficient for unit electricity generation ( E F co 2 ) of wave energy is 0.008–0.057 kg CO2/kWh; when the traditional steel production mode is adopted, the E F co 2 in this paper is 0.014–0.059 kg CO2/kWh, similar to existing research conclusions for the emission factor of CO2 for wave energy convertor (0.012–0.050 kg CO2/kWh). The predicted data on carbon emissions in the lifecycle of wave energy convertors aligns closely with actual operational data. (2) The main source of carbon emissions in the life cycle of a wave energy converter, excluding the recycling of manufacturing metal materials, is the manufacturing stage, which accounts for 90% of the total carbon emissions. When the recycling of manufacturing metal materials is considered, the carbon emissions in the manufacturing stage are reduced, and the carbon emissions in the transport stage are increased, from about 7% to about 20%. (3) Under the most ideal conditions, the carbon payback period for a wave energy convertor ranges from 0.28 to 2.06 years, and the carbon reduction during the design lifespan (20 years) varies from 238.33 t CO2 (minimum) to 261.80 t CO2 (maximum). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The laboratory test of the wave energy converter model is an important means to evaluate the performance of the device. At present, there are few performance tests for complete specifications under the irregular wave. Referring to the test methods and standards at home and abroad, combined with the actual test work experience in the laboratory, using the irregular wave power calculation formula with the effective wave height and the spectral peak period as parameters, then the wave-wire conversion ratio test method of the wave energy converter physical model under irregular waves in the laboratory is proposed. The method is applied to the basin test experiment of the physical model of the horn-shaped backward bent duct buoy (BBDB) wave energy converter. The research results show that the established test method and process of wave-wire conversion performance have achieved good application results in the irregular waves laboratory test, and can better reflect the device operating characteristics in real sea conditions. The test results provide data support for the model design of the wave energy converter in the next test stage, the demonstration test of the prototype, and the prediction of power generation in real sea conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]