Energy generation enhancement of arrays of point absorber wave energy converters via Moonpool's resonance effect

Abstract

This paper presents the power generation from point absorber wave energy converters (WEC) when they are placed in a moonpool. Due to the effect of resonance in the moonpool and the hydrodynamic interaction between the arrays of WECs, the energy generation from the arrays of WECs could be increased significantly under their optimal design consideration. The arrays of different numbers of WECs, i.e., one, five and 21 are considered in the study, where the performance of the WECs in a moonpool is presented and the wave elevation surrounding the array of WECs is shown. The research finding shows that the power generated by the arrays can be significantly enhanced when the wave period is greater than 8s by deploying five-WEC in a 30-m diameter moonpool with draft greater than 1m. With the ideal design condition established, the multiple arrays of five WECs arranged in a 2×1 array and 2×2 array configurations, are placed in the moonpool and subjected to regular and irregular waves to study the possibility of further energy generation enhancement with increased numbers of arrays.