WEC-Sim (Wave Energy Converter Simulator) at National Laboratory of the Rockies, Sandia National Laboratories

Support Types:
Non-Open Water, Numerical Modeling & Analysis
Application Areas:
Array Layout, Cables, Mooring, Foundation, and Anchoring, Component Integration, Hydrodynamics, Power Take-Off
Technology Relevance:
Wave
Location: 15013 Denver W Pkwy, Golden, CO
Location: 1515 Eubank Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM
April 9, 2026 - National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) and Sandia National Laboratories researchers gather at NLR’s Flatirons Campus to test and refine open-source modeling tools, such as WEC-Sim, to simulate wave energy converters with greater accuracy and flexibility so developers can predict performance and reduce risk before deploying devices in the ocean. (Photo by Taylor Mankle / NLR)

Facility Overview

WEC-Sim (Wave Energy Converter Simulator) is an open-source code for simulating wave energy converters in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. WEC-Sim has the ability to model devices that comprise bodies, joints, power take-off (PTO) systems, and mooring systems. The WEC-Sim applications repository contains a wide variety of example models that demonstrate WEC-Sim’s broad range of modeling capabilities, including desalination, mooring dynamics, nonlinear hydrodynamic bodies, complex PTOs, batch simulations, floating offshore wind, and many others.

**Applicants must consult with WEC-Sim staff at least 10 business days prior to the closing of the application period. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will be asked to apply for future support.**

WEC-Sim is a collaboration between the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) and Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydropower and Hydrokinetic Office.

April 9, 2026 - James Niffenegger, Thanh Toan Tran of the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) and Megan Anderson, Jeff Grasberger, Adam Keester, and Jorge Leon of Sandia National Laboratories gather at NLR’s Flatirons Campus to test and refine open-source modeling tools, such as WEC-Sim, to simulate wave energy converters with greater accuracy and flexibility so developers can predict performance and reduce risk before deploying devices in the ocean. (Photo by Taylor Mankle / NLR)
April 9, 2026 - National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) and Sandia National Laboratories researchers gather at NLR’s Flatirons Campus to test and refine open-source modeling tools, such as WEC-Sim, to simulate wave energy converters with greater accuracy and flexibility so developers can predict performance and reduce risk before deploying devices in the ocean. (Photo by Taylor Mankle / NLR)
April 9, 2026 - James Niffenegger, Thanh Toan Tran of the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) and Megan Anderson, Jeff Grasberger, Adam Keester, and Jorge Leon of Sandia National Laboratories gather at NLR’s Flatirons Campus to test and refine open-source modeling tools, such as WEC-Sim, to simulate wave energy converters with greater accuracy and flexibility so developers can predict performance and reduce risk before deploying devices in the ocean. (Photo by Taylor Mankle / NLR)
April 9, 2026 - National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) and Sandia National Laboratories researchers gather at NLR’s Flatirons Campus to test and refine open-source modeling tools, such as WEC-Sim, to simulate wave energy converters with greater accuracy and flexibility so developers can predict performance and reduce risk before deploying devices in the ocean. (Photo by Taylor Mankle / NLR)

Facility Capabilities

15013 Denver W Pkwy, Golden, CO
1515 Eubank Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM
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