Abstract
A key component in bringing ocean wave energy converters from concept to commercialization is the building and testing of scaled prototypes to provide model validation. A one quarter scale prototype of an autonomous two body heaving point absorber was modeled, built, and tested for this work. Wave tank testing results are compared with two hydrodynamic and system models—implemented in both ANSYS AQWA and MATLAB/Simulink—and show model validation over certain regions of operation. This work will serve as a guide for future developers of wave energy converter devices, providing insight in taking their design from concept to prototype stage.
Highlights
In order to fully realize a robust, efficient, and cost-effective ocean wave energy converter, considerable modeling and testing of devices will be required
The outcomes of this paper show the results of tank testing, namely the Response Amplitude Operators (RAOs) and power performance results compared with two different time-domain model approaches
For regular wave inputs wave gauge readings were taken on the wave maker side of the Autonomous Wave Energy Converter (AWEC)
Summary
In order to fully realize a robust, efficient, and cost-effective ocean wave energy converter, considerable modeling and testing of devices will be required. Due to the size and complexity of the full scale devices, the most cost effective way to make advances is through the use of numerical modeling and scaled prototype testing. This paper takes previous numerical modeling work and attempts to validate these models with a scaled prototype tested in a large wave flume. Wave tank testing of wave energy converters is a complicated endeavor with many challenges. There is much to be learned from previous attempts at characterizing devices and validating models. The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) provides a tank testing standard in [1] and the University of Edinburgh has provided tank testing guidance in [2] and EquiMar has provided high level guidance in [3]
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