scholarly journals Point Absorbers in Advanced LIGO

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aidan Brooks ◽  
Gabriele Vajente ◽  
Hiro Yamamoto ◽  
Rich Abbott ◽  
Carl Adams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
2014 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaswar Jaswar ◽  
C. L. Siow ◽  
A. Maimun ◽  
C. Guedes Soares

Malaysian government introduced Small Renewable Energy Power (SREP) Program such as biomass, biogas, and municipal solid waste, solar photovoltaic and mini-hydroelectric facilities in 2001. In year 2010, the energy generated by biomass was achieved 18 MW and mini hydro also successes to generate around 23 MW. Green Technology and Water Malaysia are targeted by Ministry of Energy to achieve cumulative renewable energy capacity around 2080 MW at year 2020 and 21.4 GW at year 2050. This paper discusses the possibility to utilize ocean wave in Merang shore, Terengganu, Malaysia. The literature reviewed available technologies used to convert wave energy to electricity which are developing currently. The available technologies reviewed here are attenuator, overtopper, point absorbers, oscillating wave surge converter and oscillating water column. The work principle of the device was covered. Finally, the sea condition in Malaysia also studied to analyze the possibility to utilize the wave energy by using the available technologies. It is found that the mean wave height is 0.95 meter and the mean wave period is 3.5 second in the Merang shore, Terengganu, Malaysia. Attenuator type wave converter developed by Wave Star is considered as one of the possible devices to be installed at the location. From the calculation, it is obtained that the total rate electrical power possible to grid is 649 MWh a year if only one set of C5 Wave star device is installed on Merang shore, Terengganu.


Author(s):  
Thiago S. Hallak ◽  
José F. Gaspar ◽  
Mojtaba Kamarlouei ◽  
Miguel Calvário ◽  
Mário J. G. C. Mendes ◽  
...  

This paper presents a study regarding a novel hybrid concept for both wind and wave energy offshore. The concept resembles a semi-submersible wind platform with a larger number of columns. Wave Energy Devices such as point absorbers are to be displayed around the unit, capturing wave energy while heaving and also enhancing the stability of the platform. In this paper, a first numerical study of the platform’s hull, without Wave Energy Converters, is carried out. Experiments in wave basin regarding the same unit have been conducted and the results are presented and compared to the numerical ones. Both stability and seakeeping performances are assessed and compared.


Author(s):  
Qian Zhong ◽  
Ronald W. Yeung

Economics decision drives the operation of ocean-wave energy converters (WEC) to be in a “farm mode”. Control strategy developed for a WEC array will be of high importance for improving the aggregate energy extraction efficiency of the whole system. Model-predictive control (MPC) has shown its strong potential in maximizing the energy output in devices with hard constraints on operation states and machinery inputs (See Ref. [1–3]). Computational demands for using MPC to control an array in real time can be prohibitive. In this paper, we formulate the MPC to control an array of heaving point absorbers, by recasting the optimization problem for energy extraction into a convex Quadratic Programming (QP) problem, the solution of which can be carried out very efficiently. Large slew rates are to be penalized, which can also guarantee the convexity of the QP and improve the computational efficiency for achieving the optimal solution. Constraints on both the states and the control input can be accommodated in this MPC method. Full hydro-dynamic interference effects among the WEC array components are taken into account using the theory developed in [4]. Demonstrative results of the application are presented for arrays of two, three, and four point absorbers operating at different incident-wave angles. Effects of the interacting waves on power performance of the array under the new MPC control are investigated, with simulations conducted in both regular and irregular seas. Heaving motions of individual devices at their optimal conditions are shown. Also presented is the reactive power required by the power takeoff (PTO) system of the array to achieve optimality. We are pleased to contribute this article in celebration of our collegiality with Professor Bernard Molin on the occasion of his honoring symposium.


Author(s):  
Alessandro Bozzetto ◽  
Ole Christian Spro ◽  
Elisabetta Tedeschi

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to quantify the impact of the constraints of the power take-off system (PTO) on the power extraction of a point absorber wave energy converter (WEC). Such constraints include power, torque and maximum stroke limitations. Two different concepts, unidirectional and bidirectional point absorbers, are analysed, which both are relevant for practical applications in the wave energy industry. Design/methodology/approach – The two different cases of unidirectional and bidirectional point absorbers are analysed and directly compared. Moreover, a simplified control strategy is considered for the point absorber, which is based on a constant torque reference. The WEC performance is first evaluated in selected sea states and then the analysis is extended to assess the impact of the different solutions on the expected yearly wave energy production of the point absorber, when deployed at a specific location. The European Marine Energy Center (EMEC) is selected as the target site for the analysis. Findings – The analysis was performed in selected sea states and then it was extended to all the sea conditions occurring at the EMEC test site. The comparison between unidirectional and bidirectional operated devices suggested a clear superiority of the latter, ensuring similar power extraction at the expense of a halved required torque by the PTO. Moreover, a selective control strategy was implemented, and the results showed an increase in yearly energy production for the bidirectional device. Research limitations/implications – The study proved the importance of including the actual PTO constraints in the preliminary power assessment in order to avoid unrealistic overestimation of the expected power performance. Originality/value – The paper quantifies the power performance obtained with the application of such control strategy considering both unidirectional and bidirectional point absorbers. This analysis and comparison is extremely relevant since both unidirectional and bidirectional devices are reaching the market.


Author(s):  
Lorenzo Baños Hernandez

This compendium presents new mathematical techniques for modeling Point Absorbers. A combined frequency-time domain framework is developed. It is used to simulate the energy generated by the wave farms. With Matlab and Fortran as a base, this leads to obtain physical variables of primary importance, namely position, velocity and power to energy net balance relationships of absorption. Integration of different degrees of freedom with heave as main executable leads in turn to a single buoy motion focus. Acquisition of the needed hydrodynamic coefficients is provided through application of potential field solvers with Boundary Element Methodology background. Initially, this Wave-to-motion model is validated by comparison with previous experimental results for a floating cone cylinder shape (Buldra-FO3). A single, generic, vertical floating cylinder is contemplated then, that responds to the action of the passing regular waves excitation. Later, two equally sized vertical floating cylinders aligned with the incident wave direction are modeled for a variable distance between the bodies. For both unidirectional regular and irregular waves as an input in deep water, we approximate the convolutive radiation force function term through the Prony method. By changing the spatial disposition of the axisymmetric buoys, using for instance triangular or rectangular shaped arrays of three and four bodies respectively, the study delves into motion characteristics for regular waves. The results highlight efficient layouts for maximizing the energy production whilst providing important insights into their performance, revealing displacement amplification- and capture width-ratios, while deriving in possible interpretations of scenarios related to the known park effect. These terms are encompassed by the novelty of a new conceptual Post-Processing methodology in the field, which leads to obtain an optimal distance for the separated bodies with effective energy absorption in a regular wave regime. The main objective is to generate a tendency within the hydrodynamic field of study, which is the Wave to motion perspective. More generally, this computational excursion envisions and depicts potential fields of study, which will surely enhance new connections and link this renewable energy form. Therefore, this research delves first into the historical and technical background on Ocean Wave Energy. Next, it is in the section regarding Materials and Methods, where boundaries and related equations are introduced step by step, together with latter mentioned case scenarios, and their corresponding configuration parameters. A separate section frames then the scope of results, while finally, there is an ensuing discussion and conclusions for evaluation assessment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1136
Author(s):  
Jinming Wu

The objective of this work is to identify the maximum absorbed power and optimal buoy geometry of a heaving axisymmetric point absorber for a given cost in different sea states. The cost of the wave energy converter is estimated as proportional to the displaced volume of the buoy, and the buoy geometry is described by the radius-to-draft ratio. A conservative wave-height-dependent motion constraint is introduced to prevent the buoy from jumping out of the free surface of waves. The constrained optimization problem is solved by a two-nested-loops method, within which a core fundamental optimization process employs the MATLAB function fmincon. Results show that the pretension of the mooring system should be as low as possible. Except for very small energy periods, the stiffness of both the power take-off and mooring system should also be as low as possible. A buoy with a small radius-to-draft ratio can absorb more power, but at the price of working in more energetic seas and oscillating at larger amplitudes. In addition, the method to choose the optimal buoy geometry at different sea states is provided.


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