Numerical Modelling in the Development of the M4 Prototype for Albany, Western Australia

Abstract

Abstract A key step on the pathway to demonstrating wave energy converter (WEC) technology is ocean trials at a reduced scale. The Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre and the Government of Western Australia (through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development) are funding the deployment of an M4 wave energy converter in King George Sound, Albany, Western Australia. The M4 WEC is an articulated device developed by M4 Wave Power Limited, which works best in waves comparable to the device’s length. At this location, strong easterly winds in the summer produce wind seas with wavelengths close to the length of the WEC, which is approximately 21 m. In order to determine the performance of the device at this site, a linear model of the M4 WEC has been developed using a generalised modes approach (not previously applied to the M4 WEC). Combined with local measurements of the wave field, this allows estimates of the power, motions, relative freeboard, etc. to be computed. The variant of M4 being analysed in this case is a ‘1-2-1’ version with a front triangular frame of 3 rigidly connected floats and one rear float on an articulated arm. This paper describes the model development, discusses reasons for choosing the scale of the device, the particular configuration, and the ongoing plan for the deployment.