Numerical and Experimental Analysis of a Novel Wave Energy Converter

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Rhinefrank ◽  
Al Schacher ◽  
Joe Prudell ◽  
Joao Cruz ◽  
Nuno Jorge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Numerical Code ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Modeling Tools ◽  
Physical Experiments ◽  
Wave Basin ◽  
Wave Research

A novel point absorber wave energy converter (WEC) is being developed by Columbia Power Technologies, LLC (CPT). Numerical and physical experiments have been performed by Columbia Power, Garrad Hassan and Partners (GH) and Oregon State University (OSU). Three hydrodynamic modeling tools including WAMIT, GH WaveFarmer, and OrcaFlex are used to evaluate the performance of the WEC. GH WaveFarmer is a specialized numerical code being developed specifically for the wave energy industry. Performance and mooring estimates at full scale were initially evaluated and optimized, which were then followed by the development of a 1/33rd scale physical model to obtain comparable datasets, aiming to validate the predictions and reduce the uncertainty associated with other numerical model results. The tests of the 1/33rd scale model of the CPT WEC were recently carried out at the multi-directional wave basin of the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory (HWRL), in conjunction with the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC) at OSU. This paper presents details of the modeling program and progress to date. Emphasis is given to the coupling of WAMIT with GH WaveFarmer for performance estimates and the coupling of WAMIT with the OrcaFlex model for mooring load estimates. An overview of the novel 3-body WEC, including operation and mooring system, is also presented. The 1/33rd scale model functionality is described including an overview of the experimental setup at the basin. Comparisons between the numerical and experimental results are shown for both regular and irregular waves and for several wave headings and dominant directions using a number of spreading functions. The paper concludes with an overview of the next steps for the modeling program and future experimental test plans.

Numerical Analysis and Scaled High Resolution Tank Testing of a Novel Wave Energy Converter

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Rhinefrank ◽  
Al Schacher ◽  
Joe Prudell ◽  
Joao Cruz ◽  
Chad Stillinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Numerical Code ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Modeling Tools ◽  
Wave Basin ◽  
Wave Research ◽  
Multidirectional Wave

This paper presents a novel point absorber wave energy converter (WEC), developed by Columbia Power Technologies (COLUMBIA POWER), in addition to the related numerical analysis and scaled wave tank testing. Three hydrodynamic modeling tools are employed to evaluate the performance of the WEC, including WAMIT, GL Garrad Hassan's GH WaveDyn, and OrcaFlex. GH WaveDyn is a specialized numerical code being developed specifically for the wave energy industry. Performance and mooring estimates at full scale are evaluated and optimized, followed by the development of a 1:33 scale physical model. The physical tests of the 1:33 scale model WEC were conducted at the multidirectional wave basin of Oregon State University's O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory, in conjunction with the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC). This paper concludes with an overview of the next steps for the modeling program and future experimental test plans.

scholarly journals Experimental and Numerical Collaborative Latching Control of Wave Energy Converter Arrays

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Thomas ◽  
Mikael Eriksson ◽  
Malin Göteman ◽  
Martyn Hann ◽  
Jan Isberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Learning Algorithm ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Ideal Behavior ◽  
Model Free ◽  
Physical Scale ◽  
Latching Control

A challenge while applying latching control on a wave energy converter (WEC) is to find a reliable and robust control strategy working in irregular waves and handling the non-ideal behavior of real WECs. In this paper, a robust and model-free collaborative learning approach for latchable WECs in an array is presented. A machine learning algorithm with a shallow artificial neural network (ANN) is used to find optimal latching times. The applied strategy is compared to a latching time that is linearly correlated with the mean wave period: It is remarkable that the ANN-based WEC achieved a similar power absorption as the WEC applying a linear latching time, by applying only two different latching times. The strategy was tested in a numerical simulation, where for some sea states it absorbed more than twice the power compared to the uncontrolled WEC and over 30% more power than a WEC with constant latching. In wave tank tests with a 1:10 physical scale model the advantage decreased to +3% compared to the best tested constant latching WEC, which is explained by the lower advantage of the latching strategy caused by the non-ideal latching of the physical power take-off model.

scholarly journals Mooring Analysis of a Floating OWC Wave Energy Converter

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 228
Author(s):  
Alana Pols ◽  
Eric Gubesch ◽  
Nagi Abdussamie ◽  
Irene Penesis ◽  
Christopher Chin
Keyword(s):  
Incident Wave ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Numerical Code ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Restoring Force ◽  
Acceptable Method

This investigation focuses on the modelling of a floating oscillating water column (FOWC) wave energy converter with a numerical code (ANSYS AQWA) based on potential flow theory. Free-floating motions predicted by the numerical model were validated against experimental data extrapolated from a 1:36 scale model device in regular and irregular sea states. Upon validation, an assessment of the device’s motions when dynamically coupled with a four-line catenary mooring arrangement was conducted at different incident wave angles and sea states ranging from operational to survivable conditions, including the simulation of the failure of a single mooring line. The lack of viscosity in the numerical modelling led to overpredicted motions in the vicinity of the resonant frequencies; however, the addition of an external linear damping coefficient was shown to be an acceptable method of mitigating these discrepancies. The incident wave angle was found to have a limited influence on the magnitudes of heave, pitch, and surge motions. Furthermore, the obtained results indicated that the mooring restoring force is controlled by the forward mooring lines under the tested conditions.

scholarly journals Hydrodynamic Analysis and Optimization of a Hinged Type Wave Energy Converter

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuzhu Li ◽  
Heather Peng ◽  
Wei Qiu ◽  
Brian Lundrigan ◽  
Tim Gardiner
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Numerical Solutions ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Geometrical Parameters ◽  
Generation Model ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Wave Basin

SeaWEED (Sea Wave Energy Extraction Device) is a multi-body floating wave energy converter (WEC) with hinged joints developed by Grey Island Energy Inc. (GIE) in Canada. Initial conceptual studies have been carried out to evaluate the performance of the first generation device by testing a 1:16 scale model in a wave basin. The experimental results were compared with the numerical solutions. Based on the experimental studies, improvements were made and a second generation model with a new geometry of the hull and a new connection structure was developed. This paper is mainly focused on the numerical analysis and optimization of the second generation SeaWEED model. In the numerical studies, the hydraulic power take-off (PTO) system was simulated by a linear spring damper system coupled with the motion of the hinged bodies. The vertical hinge motion was computed at a series of wave periods using WAMIT. Optimization was focused on the PTO damping and the geometrical parameters in terms of the draft and the length of the truss structure between hinged bodies by using the response surface method. An optimal combination of length, draft and PTO damping was recommended for an intended operation location.

Experimental Assessment of the Performance of CECO Wave Energy Converter in Irregular Waves

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio A. Rodríguez ◽  
F. Taveira-Pinto ◽  
P. Rosa-Santos
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Transfer Functions ◽  
Nonlinear Effects ◽  
Model Tests ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Experimental Assessment ◽  
Simplified Approach ◽  
Wave Basin

A new concept of wave energy device (CECO) has been proposed and developed at the Hydraulics, Water Resources and Environment Division of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP). In a first stage, the proof of concept was performed through physical model tests at the wave basin (Rosa-Santos et al., 2015). These experimental results demonstrated the feasibility of the concept to harness wave energy and provided a preliminary assessment of its performance. Later, an extensive experimental campaign was conducted with an enhanced 1:20 scale model of CECO under regular and irregular long and short-crested waves (Marinheiro et al., 2015). An electric PTO system with adjustable damping levels was also installed on CECO as a mechanism of quantification of the WEC power. The results of regular waves tests have been used to validate a numerical model to gain insight into different potential configurations of CECO and its performance (López et al., 2017a,b). This paper presents the results and analyses of the model tests in irregular waves. A simplified approach based on spectral analyses of the WEC motions is presented as a means of experimental assessment of the damping level of the PTO mechanism and its effect on the WEC power absorption. Transfer functions are also computed to identify nonlinear effects associated to higher waves and to characterize the range of periods where wave absorption is maximized. Furthermore, based on the comparison of the present experimental results with those corresponding to a linear numerical potential model, some discussions are addressed regarding viscous and other nonlinear effects on CECO performance.

Uncertainty in Wave Basin Testing of a Fixed Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances M. Judge ◽  
Eoin Lyden ◽  
Michael O'Shea ◽  
Brian Flannery ◽  
Jimmy Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Oscillating Water Column ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
The Monte Carlo Method ◽  
Wave Basin ◽  
Measurement Location ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This research presents a methodology for carrying out uncertainty analysis on measurements made during wave basin testing of an oscillating water column wave energy converter. Values are determined for Type A and Type B uncertainty for each parameter of interest, and uncertainty is propagated using the Monte Carlo method to obtain an overall Expanded Uncertainty with a 95% confidence level associated with the Capture Width Ratio of the device. An analysis into the impact of reflections on the experimental results reveals the importance of identifying the incident and combined wave field at each measurement location used to determine device performance, in order to avoid misleading results.

scholarly journals Experimental Analysis of a Novel Adaptively Counter-Rotating Wave Energy Converter for Powering Drifters

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoheng Wu ◽  
Zhongyue Lu ◽  
Zirong Luo ◽  
Jianzhong Shang ◽  
Chongfei Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Surface Velocity ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Power Constraint ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Wave Tank ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Rotating Wave

Nowadays, drifters are used for a wide range of applications for researching and exploring the sea. However, the power constraint makes it difficult for their sampling intervals to be smaller, meaning that drifters cannot transmit more accurate measurement data to satellites. Furthermore, due to the power constraint, a modern Surface Velocity Program (SVP) drifter lives an average of 400 days before ceasing transmission. To overcome the power constraint of SVP drifters, this article proposes an adaptively counter-rotating wave energy converter (ACWEC) to supply power for drifters. The ACWEC has the advantages of convenient modular integration, simple conversion process, and minimal affection by the crucial sea environment. This article details the design concept and working principle, and the interaction between the wave energy converter (WEC) and wave is presented based on plane wave theory. To verify the feasibility of the WEC, the research team carried out a series of experiments in a wave tank with regular and irregular waves. Through experiments, it was found that the power and efficiency of the ACWEC are greatly influenced by parameters such as wave height and wave frequency. The maximum output power of the small scale WEC in a wave tank is 6.36 W, which allows drifters to detect ocean data more frequently and continuously.

scholarly journals Numerical and Experimental Investigation on a Moonpool-Buoy Wave Energy Converter

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hengxu Liu ◽  
Feng Yan ◽  
Fengmei Jing ◽  
Jingtao Ao ◽  
Zhaoliang Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Model ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Point Absorber ◽  
Motion Responses ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
The Time Domain ◽  
Good Agreement

This paper introduces a new point-absorber wave energy converter (WEC) with a moonpool buoy—the moonpool platform wave energy converter (MPWEC). The MPWEC structure includes a cylinder buoy and a moonpool buoy and a Power Take-off (PTO) system, where the relative movement between the cylindrical buoy and the moonpool buoy is exploited by the PTO system to generate energy. A 1:10 scale model was physically tested to validate the numerical model and further prove the feasibility of the proposed system. The motion responses of and the power absorbed by the MPWEC studied in the wave tank experiments were also numerically analyzed, with a potential approach in the frequency domain, and a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code in the time domain. The good agreement between the experimental and the numerical results showed that the present numerical model is accurate enough, and therefore considering only the heave degree of freedom is acceptable to estimate the motion responses and power absorption. The study shows that the MPWEC optimum power extractions is realized over a range of wave frequencies between 1.7 and 2.5 rad/s.

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