scholarly journals Hydrodynamic Investigation of a Dual-Cylindrical OWC Wave Energy Converter Integrated into a Fixed Caisson Breakwater

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Wan ◽  
Can Yang ◽  
Qinghe Fang ◽  
Zaijin You ◽  
Jing Geng ◽  
...  

A fixed dual cylindrical oscillating water column (OWC) acting as a breakwater-type wave energy converter (WEC) is proposed to harvest the wave energy effectively for shallow offshore sites. An analytical model is developed to investigate the hydrodynamic characteristics and the energy capture capacity of the cylindrical OWC device in severe waves. Based on the linear potential flow theory, the analytical solutions of the velocity potential in diffraction mode are solved by matching the Eigen-function expansion technique, and the continuous conditions of the velocity potential and fluid velocity between the computational sub-domains are involved in solving the problem for determining a solution. The proposed model is verified against the published data. The effects of the wave height, the angle of chamber clapboard and the radius of the inner and outer cylindrical column on the energy conversion efficiency are investigated in this paper. To improve the energy conversion performance and obtain a faster prediction for structural optimization of the cylindrical OWC, the geometrical parameters are further discussed in the analytical model. The results indicate that the geometrical parameters of the chamber have significant effects on the wave energy absorption efficiency. It is found that the effective frequency bandwidth of the dual cylindrical column can be broadened by improving the angle of the chamber clapboard and the inner–outer cylinder diameter ratio.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuanlie Zhao ◽  
Dezhi Ning ◽  
Chongwei Zhang ◽  
Yingyi Liu ◽  
Haigui Kang

An oscillating buoy wave energy converter (WEC) integrated to an existing box-type breakwater is introduced in this study. The buoy is installed on the existing breakwater and designed to be much smaller than the breakwater in scale, aiming to reduce the construction cost of the WEC. The oscillating buoy works as a heave-type WEC in front of the breakwater towards the incident waves. A power take-off (PTO) system is installed on the topside of the breakwater to harvest the kinetic energy (in heave mode) of the floating buoy. The hydrodynamic performance of this system is studied analytically based on linear potential-flow theory. Effects of the geometrical parameters on the reflection and transmission coefficients and the capture width ratio (CWR) of the system are investigated. Results show that the maximum efficiency of the energy extraction can reach 80% or even higher. Compared with the isolated box-type breakwater, the reflection coefficient can be effectively decreased by using this oscillating buoy WEC, with unchanged transmission coefficient. Thus, the possibility of capturing the wave energy with the oscillating buoy WEC integrated into breakwaters is shown.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 875
Author(s):  
M. A. Musa ◽  
M. F. Roslan ◽  
M. F. Ahmad ◽  
A. M. Muzathik ◽  
M. A. Mustapa ◽  
...  

Overtopping breakwater for energy conversion (OBREC) is integration between breakwater and wave energy converter (WEC) that allows incoming waves to be stored in the reservoir. The higher the overtopping amount collected in a reservoir, the greater the energy generated will be. Hence, most of the overtopping concept has attempted to maximize the inclusion of water in the reservoir by optimizing geometrical parameters, particularly the ramp angle. However, the studies corresponding to ramp shapes geometries have not been adequately reviewed. Most studies only focused on the usage of linear overtopping ramp shape. There is still limited knowledge on the influence of different ramp shape parameters towards the overtopping wave. Thus, this paper aimed to push the border of available knowledge by investigating the influence of the ramp shape parameters to the overtopping wave discharge through simulation and experimenting approaches. Seven different ramp shapes have been tested under Malaysia’s wave condition and a new ramp shape parameter allowing for maximized overtopping wave on OBREC is presented.


Author(s):  
Yi-Hsiang Yu ◽  
Ye Li ◽  
Kathleen Hallett ◽  
Chad Hotimsky

This paper presents a recent study on the design and analysis of an oscillating surge wave energy converter (OSWEC). A successful wave energy conversion design requires balance between the design performance and cost. The cost of energy is often used as the metric to judge the design of the wave energy conversion (WEC) system, which is often determined based on the device’s power performance; the cost of manufacturing, deployment, operation, and maintenance; and environmental compliance. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the importance of a cost-driven design strategy and how it can affect a WEC design. A set of three oscillating surge wave energy converter designs was analyzed and used as examples. The power generation performance of the design was modeled using a time-domain numerical simulation tool, and the mass properties of the design were determined based on a simple structure analysis. The results of those power performance simulations, the structure analysis, and a simple economic assessment were then used to determine the cost-efficiency of selected OSWEC designs. Finally, we present a discussion on the environmental barrier, integrated design strategy, and the key areas that need further investigation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 003685042095015
Author(s):  
Biao Li ◽  
Fangfang Sui ◽  
Bingsong Yang

In the practical engineering applications of multi-body floating wave energy converter (WEC), the traditional geometric optimization is always expensive and time-consuming. This study aim to propose a more efficient geometry optimization strategy with a hinged double-body floating WEC as the study object. The influences of geometric parameters of the buoys on the pitching motion and energy conversion ability are analyzed by numerical simulation. Simulation results show that the resonance state of the pitching motion of the buoys mainly depends on their radius and draft rather than the length; But the length of the buoys, rather than the radius and draft, always has a significant effect on the pitching phase difference of the adjacent buoys. Based on the motion analysis and resonance response, an efficient multi-factor geometry optimization strategy is put forwarded. By the strategy, the sub-optimal and optimal geometrical parameters are solved out quickly at several typical wave conditions of China Seas. The results indicate that the optimal total length of WEC is approximately equal to the wave length. The optimal diameter of buoys is about 25% of the length of buoys. And the optimal draft should attain about 61% of the diameter.


Author(s):  
Aurélien Babarit ◽  
Benjamin Gendron ◽  
Jitendra Singh ◽  
Cécile Mélis ◽  
Philippe Jean

Since 2009, SBM Offshore has been developing the S3 Wave Energy Converter (S3 WEC). It consists in a long flexible tube made of an Electro-Active Polymer (EAP). Thus, the structural material is also the Power Take Off (PTO). In order to optimize the S3 WEC, a hydro-elastic numerical model able to predict the device dynamic response has been developed. The inner flow, elastic wall deformations and outer flow are taken into account in the model under the following assumptions: Euler equation is used for the inner flow. The flow is also assumed to be uniform. Elastic deformation of the wall tube is linearized. The outer flow is modeled using linear potential theory. These equations have been combined in order to build the numerical model. First, they are solved in the absence of the outer fluid in order to obtain the modes of response of the device. Secondly, the outer fluid is taken into account and the equation of motion is solved by making use of modal expansion. Meanwhile, experimental validation tests were conducted in the ocean basin at Ecole Centrale De Nantes. The scale model is 10m long tube made of EAP. The tube deformations were measured using the electro-active polymer. The model was also equipped with sensors in order to measure the inner pressure. Comparisons of the deformation rate between the numerical model and experimental results show good agreement, provided that the wall damping is calibrated. Eventually, results of a technico-economical parametric study of the dimensions of the device are presented.


2012 ◽  
Vol 701 ◽  
pp. 482-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emiliano Renzi ◽  
F. Dias

AbstractA mathematical model is developed to study the behaviour of an oscillating wave energy converter in a channel. During recent laboratory tests in a wave tank, peaks in the hydrodynamic actions on the converter occurred at certain frequencies of the incident waves. This resonant mechanism is known to be generated by the transverse sloshing modes of the channel. Here the influence of the channel sloshing modes on the performance of the device is further investigated. Within the framework of a linear inviscid potential-flow theory, application of Green’s theorem yields a hypersingular integral equation for the velocity potential in the fluid domain. The solution is found in terms of a fast-converging series of Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind. The physical behaviour of the system is then analysed, showing sensitivity of the resonant sloshing modes to the geometry of the device, which concurs in increasing the maximum efficiency. Analytical results are validated with available numerical and experimental data.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9803
Author(s):  
Ji Woo Nam ◽  
Yong Jun Sung ◽  
Seong Wook Cho

The InWave wave energy converter (WEC), which is three-tether WEC type, absorbs wave energy via moored cylindrical buoys with three ropes connected to a terrestrial power take-off (PTO) through a subsea pulley. In this study, a simulation study was conducted to select a suitable PTO when designing a three-tether WEC. The mechanical PTO transfers energy from the buoy to the generator using a gearbox, whereas the hydraulic PTO uses a hydraulic pump, an accumulator, and a hydraulic motor to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. The hydraulic PTO has a lower energy conversion efficiency than that of the mechanical PTO owing to losses resulting from pipe friction and the individual efficiencies of the hydraulic pumps and motors. However, the efficiencies mentioned above are not the efficiency of the whole system. The efficiency of the whole system should be analyzed considering the tension of the rope and the efficiency of the generator. In this study, the energy conversion efficiencies of the InWave WEC installed the mechanical and hydraulic PTO devices are compared, and their behaviors are analyzed through numerical simulations. The mechanics of mechanical and hydraulic PTO applied to InWave are mathematically expressed, and the issues of the elements constituting the PTO are explained. Finally, factors to consider for PTO selection are presented.


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