A technique for modeling and optimizing the design of wave energy conversion devices

Abstract

With the continuous development of society and the economy, energy shortages have become increasingly prominent. As an important marine renewable energy source, wave energy holds significant theoretical significance due to its widespread distribution and vast storage potential. In this paper, we employ differential equation theory, numerical optimization methods, and optimization techniques to model and design algorithms for investigating the energy conversion mechanisms of wave energy devices. Due to the complex situation, we decided to simplify that into two scenarios. As to the first scenario, the essence of energy output in wave energy devices lies in the relative velocity between the floater and the oscillator. Firstly, the product of the damping force and the instantaneous relative velocity is integrated over time and divided by the period to obtain the average output power. Maximizing the average output power, with the damping coefficient as the decision variable, establishes a nonlinear optimization model. Secondly, a stepwise optimization approach is applied to control the damping coefficient, resulting in optimal damping coefficients of 33600, . Finally, a genetic algorithm is employed to validate the results as to the next scenario. After adding rotational dampers and torsion springs to the wave energy device, the relative velocity and relative angular velocity between the floater and the oscillator jointly contribute to energy output. The objective is to maximize the sum of the average output power of linear dampers and rotational dampers. The decision variables are the linear damping coefficient and the rotational damping coefficient. A nonlinear optimization model is established. A stepwise optimization approach is applied to optimize both types of coefficients, and the results are validated using a genetic algorithm. The optimal solution is found to have a linear damping coefficient of 60135.7781 N·s/m and a rotational damping coefficient of 4244.90358 N·s·m for the rotational dampers.