Abstract
The damping effect, induced inside the linear generator, is a vital factor to improve the conversion efficiency of wave energy converters (WEC). As part of the mechanical design, the translator mass affects the damping force and eventually affects the performance of the WEC by converting wave energy into electricity. This paper proposes research on the damping effect coupled with translator mass regarding the generated power from WEC. Complicated influences from ocean wave climates along the west coast of Sweden are also included. This paper first compares three cases of translator mass with varied damping effects. A further investigation on coupling effects is performed using annual energy absorption under a series of sea states. Results suggest that a heavier translator may promote the damping effect and therefore improve the power production. However, the hinder effect is also observed and analyzed in specific cases. In this paper, the variations in the optimal damping coefficient are observed and discussed along with different cases.
Highlights
Wave energy converters (WECs) are power plants that convert the kinetic energy from ocean waves into electricity
The use of these three cases depended on the configuration of the WEC design
(3.5 s, 0.75 m) representing a typical wave climate at Site 6, containing most of the wave occurrence at the test site; (ii) the case of Figure 6b, which was a typical wave climate that contributed a high portion of the annual energy production, while Figure 6c was a powerful sea state for a test site
Summary
Wave energy converters (WECs) are power plants that convert the kinetic energy from ocean waves into electricity. The studied WEC is referred to as one subcategory, classified as a point absorber of (b), the activated body. Activated bodies transfer the motion of ocean waves to drive the internal motion of the WEC. As a subcategory of activated body, the main feature of point absorbers is that the floaters, designed to absorb wave energy, are relatively small in the horizontal dimensions compared to the length of the waves. Fluid power is converted from absorbed wave energy to drive the hydraulic motor and further induction generator to produce electricity. Linear generators convert mechanical energy from ocean waves directly into electricity by driving the translator to reciprocate in a linear generator
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