Abstract
Dynamic Wave Energy Converter (WEC) models utilize a wide variety of fundamental hydrodynamic theories. When incorporating novel hydrodynamic theories into numerical models, there are distinct impacts on WEC rigid body motions, cable dynamics, and final power production. This paper focuses on developing an understanding of the influence several refined hydrodynamic theories have on WEC dynamics, including weakly nonlinear Froude-Krylov and hydrostatic forces, body-to-body interactions, and dynamic cable modelling. All theories have evolved from simpler approaches and are of importance to a wide array of WEC archetypes. This study quantifies the impact these theories have on modelling accuracy through a WEC case study. Theoretical differences are first explored in a regular sea state. Subsequently, numerical validation efforts are performed against field data following wave reconstruction techniques. Comparisons of significance are WEC motion and cable tension. It is shown that weakly nonlinear Froude-Krylov and hydrostatic force calculations and dynamic cable modelling both significantly improve simulated WEC dynamics. However, body-to-body interactions are not found to impact simulated WEC dynamics.
Highlights
IntroductionNumerical modelling tools expedite the development of the wave energy sector by aiding in the design, analysis, and optimization of wave energy converter (WEC) devices
Numerical modelling tools expedite the development of the wave energy sector by aiding in the design, analysis, and optimization of wave energy converter (WEC) devices.These tools aid in capturing the complex interactions between rigid bodies dynamics, hydrodynamics, hydrostatics, power take-off (PTO) units, and control systems present in WECs
When marine cables attach to a rigid body, forces cause structural deformation of the cable, and marine cable models, which have evolved from simple mass-spring-dampers to dynamic cable models, simulate such structural responses [5]
Summary
Numerical modelling tools expedite the development of the wave energy sector by aiding in the design, analysis, and optimization of wave energy converter (WEC) devices. These tools aid in capturing the complex interactions between rigid bodies dynamics, hydrodynamics, hydrostatics, power take-off (PTO) units, and control systems present in WECs. With design decisions based heavily on predictions from simulation tools, it is of vital importance to verify and validate WEC numerical software [1]. Nonlinear Froude-Krylov and hydrostatic force calculations pertain to incorporating this changing wetted surface area into WEC dynamics [3]. The three aforementioned modelling techniques are all theoretical refinements that may pertain to modelling a particular WEC’s dynamics more accurately
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