Abstract
In this study, a series of modules is integrated into a wave-to-wire (W2W) model that links a Boundary Element Method (BEM) solver to a Wave Energy Converter (WEC) motion solver which are in turn coupled to a wave propagation model. The hydrodynamics of the WECs are resolved in the wave structure interaction solver NEMOH, the Power Take-off (PTO) is simulated in the WEC simulation tool WEC-Sim, and the resulting perturbed wave field is coupled to the mild-slope propagation model MILDwave. The W2W model is run for verified for a realistic wave energy project consisting of a WEC farm composed of 10 5-WEC arrays of Oscillating Surging Wave Energy Converters (OSWECs). The investigated WEC farm is modelled for a real wave climate and a sloping bathymetry based on a proposed OSWEC array project off the coast of Bretagne, France. Each WEC array is arranged in a power-maximizing 2-row configuration that also minimizes the inter-array separation distance d x and d y and the arrays are located in a staggered energy maximizing configuration that also decreases the along-shore WEC farm extent. The WEC farm power output and the near and far-field effects are simulated for irregular waves with various significant wave heights wave peak periods and mean wave incidence directions β based on the modelled site wave climatology. The PTO system of each WEC in each farm is modelled as a closed-circuit hydraulic PTO system optimized for each set of incident wave conditions, mimicking the proposed site technology, namely the WaveRoller® OSWEC developed by AW Energy Ltd. The investigation in this study provides a proof of concept of the proposed W2W model in investigating potential commercial WEC projects.
Highlights
In [1], the development of various numerical tools was witnessed and diverse facets of the Wave Energy Converter (WEC) array problem were investigated, the complex interplay between the WEC array power and the WEC array effects on the surrounding area
The inner domain of the WEC arrays is shown by orange rectangles in all the contour plots of η and the individual WECs are indicated by small solid rectangles
The former are key in determining the WEC farm power output, as the power of each WEC array is determined by its constituent devices’ motions that are in turn proportional to the perturbed wave field
Summary
In [1], the development of various numerical tools was witnessed and diverse facets of the WEC array problem were investigated, the complex interplay between the WEC array power and the WEC array effects on the surrounding area. Unlike existing wave-to-wire models such as [2,3], which focus on a specific Wave Energy. Converter (WEC) technology, or those such as [4,5] that deal with a single objective of power maximization, the model proposed in this study has the dual goal of (i), accurately representing the wave field around the array and (ii), allowing a fast and accurate calculation of the power output of a given WEC array project. The W2W model introduced in the bullet points above is tested for a realistic scenario of a proposed commercial WEC array project. The WATTMOR proposal developed by the energy companies DCNS and Fortum in partnership with the Finnish company AW. Energy is modelled utilizing the WaveRoller R technology [6].
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