IEC TS 62600-103-2024 PDF

Full title and description

IEC TS 62600-103:2024 — Marine energy — Wave, tidal and other water current converters — Part 103: Guidelines for the early stage development of wave energy converters — Best practices and recommended procedures for the testing of pre‑prototype devices. The Technical Specification provides recommended test programmes, minimum reporting requirements and practical guidance for wave tank testing and first sea trials of sub‑prototype wave energy converters (WECs), including planning, device and environment characterisation, data acquisition and performance presentation.

Abstract

IEC TS 62600-103:2024 (including a Redline/RLV where provided) updates guidance for the early stage development of WECs. It covers controlled wave tank programmes and initial large‑scale sea trials, specifying prerequisites, test goals and minimum test plans for power performance, device motions, loads and survival, and for documenting facility and site characterisation. The document is intended to support device developers, test centres, certification bodies, funders and regulators.

General information

• Status: Published / Revised (replaces IEC TS 62600-103:2018).
• Publication date: 3 July 2024.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 27.140 (Marine energy conversion systems).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2024) — includes Redline (RLV) comparison to the previous edition.
• Number of pages: 135 pages (main publication length reported for the 2024 edition).

(Summary facts above are taken from IEC and catalogue listings for the 2024 revision.)

Scope

This Technical Specification addresses sub‑prototype scale development of wave energy converters. It covers staged testing from laboratory (wave tank) experiments where conditions are controlled, through to first large‑scale sea trials where natural sea states prevail. Commercial‑scale prototype testing is not within scope; instead the document prescribes minimum experimental programmes, required inputs (design statement, drawings, site/facility data), measurement and reporting practices, and objectives for each stage of early development.

Key topics and requirements

• Planning experimental programmes: design statement, technical drawings, facility and site selection criteria, and prerequisite inputs for each test stage.
• Device characterisation: physical model description, power take‑off (PTO) components, mooring arrangements and similitude requirements for sub‑scale representation.
• Environment and facility characterisation: wave tank specification and calibration, sea trial site metocean data requirements, and guidance on regular and irregular wave conditions.
• Data acquisition and control: sampling, analogue‑to‑digital considerations, synchronization, calibration and data recording minimums.
• Performance metrics and reporting: prescribed performance indicators for regular and irregular waves, presentation formats, and minimum test plans for assessing power conversion, motions, loads and survivability.
• Minimum test programmes by stage: recommended stage definitions (laboratory stages and first sea trials), and the minimum test goals/prerequisites for each stage.

Typical use and users

Used by wave energy device developers and their technical teams to plan and execute pre‑prototype testing; test facilities and tank operators to define test programmes and reporting; certification bodies and technical reviewers assessing early‑stage evidence; research organisations conducting device validation; funders and investors evaluating technical readiness; and regulators or environmental assessors interpreting early test results. The specification helps harmonise test practice and improve comparability of early‑stage WEC data.

Related standards

IEC TS 62600-103:2024 is part of the IEC 62600 series for marine energy. Key related documents include IEC TS 62600-100 (WEC performance methodologies), IEC TS 62600-101:2024 (wave energy resource assessment and characterisation), and other parts addressing tidal/current converters such as IEC TS 62600-202 (early stage tidal guidance). Users typically apply Part 103 together with resource and performance documents for complete early‑stage planning and energy estimates.

Keywords

wave energy, WEC, pre‑prototype, wave tank testing, sea trials, performance indicators, data acquisition, PTO, mooring, similitude, metocean characterisation, IEC 62600 series.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC TS 62600-103:2024 is a Technical Specification that gives guidelines and best practices for early‑stage development and testing of wave energy converters (sub‑prototype scale), covering wave tank tests and first sea trials.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers planning of experimental programmes, device and environment characterisation, minimum measurement and data acquisition practices, presentation of performance indicators, and minimum test plans for power performance, kinematics/dynamics and survivability during early‑stage testing. Commercial‑scale prototype tests are not included.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Device developers, test centres and tank operators, certifiers and technical reviewers, research institutes, funding bodies and environmental/regulatory stakeholders use the specification to standardise early‑stage testing and reporting.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC TS 62600-103:2018 was revised; the 2018 edition was withdrawn effective 3 July 2024 and replaced by IEC TS 62600-103:2024 (Edition 2 / including RLV). The 2024 edition is the current published revision.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 103 of the IEC 62600 series (marine energy). The series includes other parts covering resource assessment, performance and tidal/current guidance which are intended to be used together where relevant.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Wave energy, WEC, pre‑prototype testing, wave tank, sea trials, power performance, data acquisition, PTO, mooring, similitude, IEC 62600.