Development Of Wave Energy Converters Research Articles

M4 WEC development and wave basin Froude testing

The M4 wave energy converter (WEC) is a moored, multi-float, multi-PTO (power takeoff), multi-mode, attenuator-type system designed to be capable of order MW capacity. The strategy is first described with technical requirements. Wave basin testing was undertaken to demonstrate the system and validate linear diffraction-radiation modelling, used for initial assessment and to generalise the configurations. Froude-scale modelling including power takeoff has been demonstrated for the first, possibly only, time. Further wave basin testing was undertaken to validate a multi-float generalisation. Moorings are a critical component with the elasticity of (synthetic) cables reducing snap loads markedly but with complex dynamics requiring wave basin testing and further model development. Preliminary results are presented. Limitations of wave basins with regard to the control of wave (and current) conditions and associated measurement are discussed along with suggested improvements. Computational modelling ranges from efficient linear diffraction-radiation modelling to massively resource-intensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The former extended to second order is of main practical importance and is well suited to generalise WEC configurations and model complexity, such as nonlinear power takeoff control and moorings, but are limited in accurately representing physics such wave nonlinearity, slamming and viscous effects. However, CFD has yet to become a practical tool for realistic irregular wave conditions. Wave basin modelling based on Froude scaling is of vital importance for both concept exploration and model validation.

Design and Control of Hydraulic Power Take-Off System for an Array of Point Absorber Wave Energy Converters

The development of wave energy converter (WEC) arrays is an effective way to reduce the cost of levelized energy and facilitate the commercialization of WECs. This study proposes a hydraulic power take-off (PTO) system for an array of point absorber wave energy converters (PA-WECs) and designs a control system using a novel algorithm called the improved simplified universal intelligent PID (ISUIPID) controller and the adaptive matching controller including an improved artificial gorilla troops optimizer (IGTO) to improve and stabilize the output power of PA-WEC arrays. Simulations under varying irregular wave states have been carried out to verify the validity of the mathematical model and the control system. The results show that the designed IGTO has faster convergence speed and better convergence accuracy in solving the optimal linear damping coefficient of the generator, and the proposed ISUIPID controller provides superior performance in tracking the speed of the hydraulic motor under the changing sea states. In addition, the capture power and output power of the array of PA-WECs are improved and the electrical energy can be output stably under the designed control system. The array of PA-WECs with the proposed control system will become an independent, stable, efficient, and sustainable power supply system.

Spectral control co-design of wave energy converter array layout

Wave energy systems are designed to maximise energy absorption from the oscillatory motion of waves, which can make a crucial contribution in a new carbon free generation matrix [1]. Thus, the global ocean energy market (including wave and tidal) is expected to grow by more than 700\% by 2028 [2]. However, the harsh conditions faced in the ocean, the strong variability of the resource, and the high force/velocity ratios pose significant challenges to the development of the different ocean energy technologies. Therefore, to date, wave energy converter (WEC) technology is still under development and still needs a significant progress to enhance the energy conversion efficiency and, consequently, to become commercial viable. Crucially, to meet these existing challenges, there are a number of key considerations to progress the effectiveness and efficiency of WEC technologies. In particular, energy maximising control systems, to maximise energy absorption, and the optimisation of WEC array schemes, to take advantage of constructive interaction effects, are currently considered as some of the key drivers for the development of efficient WECs [1]. Recent studies have shown that total design of WECs, analysing the impact of each individual component on the rest of the system, is a key methodology to achieve effective designs. For example, the levelised cost of energy (LCoE) is considered in the objective function in [3], analysing the interplay between the control system based on a spectral controller and the specifications of the power take-off (PTO) system defined as the maximum stroke and force. This methodology has been generally labelled as `co-design', or, when the development is carried out in a control-aware manner, `control co-design'. Similarly, in [4], the interaction between control and optimal WEC geometry is studied. In addition, as discussed before, another key driver in achieving effective wave energy system is the operation of WEC arrays. In particular, in [5] and [6] different array layouts are analysed in terms of computational efficiency and control, respectively. Considering the results in [5], where methods based on harmonic balance techniques are used to analyse the computational demand related to different array layouts, an assessment of the impact of different array layouts on the LCoE, is performed in this study. Figure 1 illustrates different array layouts (a), and the impact of different separation and number of WECs on the resulting LCoE (b). (Figure in PDF abstract)For the implementation of this study, a spectral control methodology is considered to virtually achieve optimal control solutions, even in constrained scenarios. In tandem, different layout templates, composed of multiple point absorber WECs, are considered. To achieve a clear global indicator based on the LCoE, each layout is analysed, in terms of the separation distance and the number of WECs, as well as capital and operation expenditure (CapEx and OpEx, respectively). Following the methodological guidelines considered in [3], a general co-design scheme is designed, essentially based on an exhaustive search method, indicating the interplay between different array layouts and LCoE.

A spectral-domain wave-to-wire model of wave energy converters

Wave-to-Wire models play an important role in the development of wave energy converters. They could provide insight into the complete operating process of wave energy converters, from the power absorption stage to the power conversion stage. In order to cover a set of relevant nonlinear effects, wave-to-wire models are predominately established in the time domain. However, the low computational efficiency of time-domain modeling is hindering the extensive application of wave-to-wire models, especially in early-stage design and optimization where a large number of iterations are required. To address this issue, a spectral-domain wave-to-wire model is proposed, and the nonlinear effects are incorporated by stochastic linearization. This model can significantly reduce the computational load and maintain good accuracy. The reference concept studied in this paper is defined as a heaving point absorber coupled with a linear permanent-magnet generator. Four representative nonlinear effects involved in both the hydrodynamic stage and the electrical stage of the concept are considered. The proposed model is verified against a corresponding nonlinear time-domain wave-to-wire model, and a good agreement is observed. The relative error of the proposed spectral-domain wave-to-wire model is around 2 % in typical operational regions and is still within 7 % for wave states with large significant wave heights, regarding the estimate of the power conversion efficiency. Meanwhile, the computational load of the spectral-domain wave-to-wire model is reduced by 2 to 3 orders of magnitudes compared with the conventional time-domain approach. Finally, a case study of tuning the PTO damping to maximize power production is conducted to demonstrate the performance of the proposed spectral-domain wave-to-wire model.

Numerical modelling of wave run-up heights and loads on multi-degree-of-freedom buoy wave energy converters

With the development of wave energy converters (WECs), multi-degree-of-freedom (multi-DOF) buoy has become popular. The effect of nonlinear phenomena, such as wave run-up and wave impact, on an oscillating buoy WEC, may decrease its efficiency and even lead to overturning, plastic deformation, and fatigue failure. This study used a Fortran code for the custom development of Flow-3D software to apply independent power take-off (PTO) damping to each DOF. A hydrodynamic simulation model of the interaction between a wave and cylindrical buoy under six types of motions was developed and verified through model tests of the motion response of the buoy and wave run-up on it. Wave run-up heights and maximum wave loads on buoys with different motions and PTO combinations were investigated and compared. The numerical results show that coupled motion can lead to a less intense wave field distribution than a single motion and reduce the risk of overtopping. In addition, the bottom pressure of the buoy for the pitch–surge motion increased by a maximum of 101.6 % compared to the initial pressure. For independent linear PTO damping, heave damping has the most significant influence on the maximum wave load on the coupled motion buoys, followed by surge damping, while pitch damping has no significant effect. The results of this study can guide the designing of safe and reliable multi-DOF buoy WECs.

Experimental investigation of a Multi-OWC wind turbine floating platform

The worldwide energy supply needs to be enhanced following the expanding of electrical energy request. Marine renewable energies have the potential to partially cover the incoming energy growth but the economic unfeasibility slows down their exploitation. Specifically, the viability and technological development of Wave Energy Converters could be improved through the integration into already existing offshore structures. Against this background, this work proposes a novel concept of hybrid platform composed of a spar buoy wind turbine integrated with three Oscillating Water Columns (OWCs). An experimental investigation is carried out in the wave basin of Marine Technology Research Institute (CNR-INM, Rome, Italy) aiming to analyze of the performance of the hybrid system prototype. The scaling procedure and the experimental setup are described. The focus of the analysis is on the hydrodynamic behavior of the OWCs’ air chambers considering both wave and wind loads. The influence of the wind action and the effect of air chambers damping variation on the dynamic behavior of the floating platform are deepened towards the resulted power extraction performances of the OWCs. Different wind and wave conditions are considered to test the scaled model. As result, the OWCs hydrodynamic response is positively affected by angular motion of the platform, due to the influence of the wind loads. The increasing in the damping affects the air pressure and the relative water level inside the OWCs, hence the mean extracted power.

The hydrodynamic performance of a shore-based oscillating water column device under random wave conditions

The testing of scale models is crucial if we are to continue the development of wave energy converters. Investigations have examined the interaction of shore-based Oscillating Water Column (OWC) devices with regular water waves that impact the device perpendicularly in flumes or wave basins. However, these simplistic experiments might misrepresent the effectiveness of an OWC system. This study examines the interaction of irregular, oblique, water waves with a shore-based OWC device in terms of its hydrodynamic performance. In a spectral wave basin, a series of experiments were performed on a scale model of a single chamber of the Mutriku Wave Energy Plant. Wave propagation conditions were examined to see their impact on the hydrodynamic performance of a fixed OWC system. The wave amplification factor, hydrodynamic efficiency, non-dimensional air pressure inside the chamber, and non-dimensional water pressures on the chamber walls were evaluated. The results show that when the free surface is close to the front wall lip, the hydrodynamic efficiency increases, while the effect of significant wave height was seen to be more important in the wave amplification. Finally, it was found that the hydrodynamic efficiency under random waves is lower than that in experiments under regular waves reported previously.

Dynamical modeling and parametric analysis of an electret-based wave energy converter

Carbon neutrality and the Internet of Underwater Things have injected new impetus into the development of wave energy converters (WECs) albeit most of WEC projects have ended in failure due to low cost-effectiveness. Hereupon we present the dynamical modeling and parametric analysis of a novel electret-based WEC that has a distinct power take-off system compared to the conventional ones and has exhibited high power density in our previous study. Linear wave theory and Morison equation are applied for wave field and forces, respectively. WEC motions parallel with incident waves are modeled, and the electrical subsystem of the generator is treated as a current source and a capacitor. With these simplifications, the governing equations of the nonlinear and non-smooth electromechanical system are obtained and then numerically solved using an event-driven algorithm. The new power take-off system is experimentally validated. We find that the power output varies nonlinearly with wave parameters under regular wave excitation but linearly under irregular ones, and that superharmonic resonance can significantly enhance energy conversion performance at relatively low frequencies, based on which the optimum parameters are obtained. A peak average power of around 2 mW (at a matched load resistance) is generated from each generator encapsulated in the WEC of a diameter of 15 cm. The findings shed light on the characteristics of electret-based WECs and provide support for the development of wave energy farm; moreover, the methodologies of modeling and analysis can be extended to the design and optimization of the scaleups of the proposed electret-based WEC.

Numerical Analysis of Wave Energy Extraction Performance According to the Body Shape and Scale of the Breakwater-integrated Sloped OWC

Research on the development of marine renewable energy is actively in progress. Various studies are being conducted on the development of wave energy converters. In this study, a numerical analysis of wave-energy extraction performance was performed according to the body shape and scale of the sloped oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy converter (WEC), which can be connected with the breakwater. The sloped OWC WEC was modeled in the time domain using a two-dimensional fully nonlinear numerical wave tank. The nonlinear free surface condition in the chamber was derived to represent the pneumatic pressure owing to the wave column motion and viscous energy loss at the chamber entrance. The free surface elevations in the sloped chamber were calculated at various incident wave periods. For verification, the results were compared with the 1:20 scaled model test. The maximum wave energy extraction was estimated with a pneumatic damping coefficient. To calculate the energy extraction of the actual size WEC, OWC models approximately 20 times larger than the scale model were calculated, and the viscous damping coefficient according to each size was predicted and applied. It was verified that the energy, owing to the airflow in the chamber, increased as the incident wave period increased, and the maximum efficiency of energy extraction was approximately 40% of the incident wave energy. Under the given incident wave conditions, the maximum extractable wave power at a chamber length of 5 m and a skirt draft of 2 m was approximately 4.59 kW/m.

A new framework and tool for ecological risk assessment of wave energy converters projects

Marine renewable energy has considerable potential for enhancing the diversity of renewable sources, to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and combat climate change. While the technological development of wave energy converters is progressing rapidly, their environmental impacts are still largely unknown, which is a barrier that could hinder their deployment. This research contributes to the state-of-the-art by introducing a framework for quantifying and analysing the ecological risks of three technologies (oscillating water columns, oscillating wave surge converters, and wave turbines). Based on a literature review, expert consultation process, and the development of a web tool, the potential pressures and the ecosystem elements that might be affected during the life cycle of a generic wave farm (an array of wave energy converters) are investigated. The main pressures are found to be physical disturbance, physical loss, hydrological change, and noise. The ecosystem elements sustaining the largest number of pressures and, therefore, at higher ecological risk are fish and cephalopods species, and benthic and pelagic habitats. The ecological risk assessment framework is operationalized into a free-access web tool (https://aztidata.es/wec-era/) for the interactive assessment and visualisation of the pressures and ecological risks. The tool is intended to be used by managers, decision makers, scientists or promoters during the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment of wave energy projects. The novel approach presented in this work is more sophisticated than previous risk assessment matrices, enabling to better capture the complexity of the interactions between a wave farm and the environment.

Flap-type wave energy converter arrays: Nonlinear dynamic analysis

The wave-body interaction of resonant oscillating wave energy converters (WECs) is complex and nonlinear. Rapid development of WECs needs a reliable simulation tool for analysis and design procedure with the ability to capture the instantaneous nonlinear behavior. This paper presents a methodology to study the behavior of a flap-type WEC utilizing hybrid physical and numerical simulation. Dynamic characteristics of the device as isolated and in an array are estimated and the time and oscillation amplitude-dependency of these parameters are explained. This methodology is developed for a device composed of a series of flaps placed on a vertical breakwater. However, the developed algorithm can be updated for any other WEC concept with special consideration on the consequent changes in the load transfer, surrounding hydrodynamic, and wave-structure interaction. This paper increases our understanding and knowledge of all involved phenomena and their direct effects on the natural period and the response and can be used for tunning dynamic characteristics of WEC device to incoming waves. Finally, the developed numerical model is used for the simulation of the WEC to different wave loads and the results are validated with the experimental tests.

Numerical analysis of the hydrodynamic scaling effects for the Wavestar wave energy converter

Scaled model tests are an important step during the research and development of wave energy converters (WECs). While such scaled model tests in physical wave tanks are prone to undesired scaling effects due to e.g. mechanical artefacts and/or fluid effects, numerical wave tanks (NWTs) provide excellent tools for the analysis of WECs across a range of scales, overcoming the limitations of the physical test environment. Simultaneous scaling based on the Froude and Reynolds number is achievable in physical wave tanks only with significant effort, whereas NWTs allow the adjustment of fluid properties, such as viscosity, in an easy manner, thereby catering for Froude and Reynolds similarity. This study exploits the capabilities of a high-fidelity, computational fluid dynamics based, NWT and investigates the hydrodynamic scaling effects for the heaving buoy Wavestar WEC. Various test cases, relevant for WEC applications and with progressively increasing complexity, are considered to develop a comprehensive understanding of the scaling effects. Results show that significant scaling effects occur for the viscous component of the hydrodynamic loads on the WEC hull, while the system dynamics and total (viscous + pressure) loads are relatively unaffected by scaling effects.

Improved bistable mechanism for wave energy harvesting

As one of the renewable and clean energy sources, wave energy has high density and all-day availability characteristics. However, the development of wave energy converters has been hampered, mainly because of the low efficiency induced high levelized energy costs. The present study introduces an improved bistable mechanism composed of three linear springs, aiming to enhance the performance of a point absorber employed as a wave energy converter. The improved bistable mechanism features an asymmetric configuration of three linear stiffness springs: one horizontal and two obliques on a vertical plane. Numerical simulations based on Cummins equations in the time domain describe the point absorber dynamic behavior in regular and irregular waves. The improved bistable wave energy converter featured a wider low equivalent stiffness range than linear and conventional bistable counterparts, improving its ability to frequency shifting. Its lower potential barrier greatly improves the capture width ratio and frequency bandwidth at low excitations. Such characteristics facilitate the improved bistable wave energy converter to achieve higher efficiency than its linear and conventional bistable counterparts at low frequencies, and enhance its robustness against power-take-off damping detuning and sea state changes. These features altogether make the improved bistable mechanism an efficient alternative to explore the benefits of the bistable dynamics applied to wave energy converters.

Model testing of a floating wave energy converter with an internal U-shaped oscillating water column

The development of wave energy converters is centred on the combination of two factors: cost-effectiveness of energy extraction and system survivability on extreme sea conditions. Despite advances in numerical modelling, wave tank model testing still presents the most reliable option to evaluate these two factors. This paper presents an experimental study on the hydrodynamic responses of the UGEN, a wave energy converter consisting of an asymmetric floater with an internal U-shaped tank partially filled with water. The device absorbs energy through the oscillating-water-column (OWC) motion inside the U-shaped tank, induced by the wave action on the floater. The experimental testing of a bottom-moored 1:24th-scale model was performed at the COAST Laboratory, University of Plymouth, UK, considering regular and irregular wave conditions. The wave tank test measurements report six-degree-of-freedom rigid-body motions, mean drift forces, OWC motion, structural stresses and mooring loads. Results present the characterization of the energy absorption at the internal OWC induced by the floater’s sway, heave and roll. The occurrence of low-cycle auto-parametric resonance under certain wave conditions was detected and induced large roll motions, which affected power extraction and increased mooring line loads, particularly for large wave amplitudes.

Modelling of Unidirectional Oscillating Buoy Wave Energy Converter Based on Direct Mechanical Drive System Under Irregular Wave

The development of wave energy converters (WEC) is increasing over time with various designs. The need for a WEC design that emphasizes the level of simplicity, portability, and closeness of its implementation to the nearshore is quite interesting to discuss. One of the WECs that can meet these criteria is oscillating buoy based on a direct mechanical drive system. This research proposes the concept of oscillating buoy WEC based on a direct mechanical drive system, which is designed with a unidirectional gear system to be able to generate energy both in the upward and downward wave phases. The WEC is also making to produce high rotation on the output side from the small motion of the buoy, especially in the heave direction. Predicting the power generated by this concept is very interesting because up to now, there has not been sufficient analytical model to estimate the power generated by oscillating buoys WEC based on a direct mechanical drive system, especially under irregular waves. In this work, an analytical method is conducting to describe the interaction between the model and irregular waves from the JONSWAP model. Model interaction is simulating numerically using the MATLAB program. The buoy translational motion of the model in the heave direction, which is converting to electric power by increasing the rotation of the gearbox and the energy stored in the flywheel, can produce significant output power. In the future, the proposed model can be used to develop more feasible and efficient models of wave energy converters.

Analysis of pontoon multi pendulum motion response trimaran model at ocean wave power plant based on pendulum system (PLTG-SB)

Ocean waves are one of the renewable energy potentials for an archipelago country like Indonesia. The development of Wave Energy Converter presented in the research carried out is a system that uses a pontoon with a pendulum for energy extraction, which is called the Pendulum System Wave Power Plant (PLTG-SB). The shape of the pontoon uses a trimaran model with a cylindrical shape as the main body and support. The simulation of the response of the pontoon with multi pendulums shows the maximum RAO pitch value of 1.15° / cm in the 6 second wave period and the response to the change in deviation is the maximum value in the 6 second wave period with a deviation of 198.07°. The variation in the length of the pendulum arm gave the largest deviation value of 106.7 cm, while in the variation of the number of pendulums the largest deviation occurred on the pontoon with the number of pendulums n = 2.

Development of a numerical model of the CECO wave energy converter using computational fluid dynamics

As the world strives to remove its reliance on fossil fuels, wave energy presents a reliable source of renewable energy with a very high potential. Numerical simulations offer an inexpensive alternative, in comparison to physical modelling, for the development of wave energy converters. In this paper, a computational fluid dynamics model of the CECO wave energy converter (WEC) has been developed using the commercial software ANSYS CFX. In order to reduce on the computational resources required, a 2-dimensional model of this sloped (combination of heave and surge) motion WEC has been developed and then successfully validated with experimental results from physical model tests, demonstrating the capability of such models to accurately describe the response of WECs. The validated numerical model was then used to investigate the non-linear effects on the motions of CECO and to obtain more insights in relation to wave loading during a wave cycle and the viscous effects associated to the dissipation of energy in the flow around its floaters. The water particle velocity and vorticity around CECO and the heave and surge loadings on CECO, while it is in operation, are analysed and discussed. The numerical model, not only aid in the development of a new and enhanced geometry for CECO but, also, it can be used to model and analyse similar WECs.

Validation of a CFD-Based Numerical Wave Tank Model of the 1/20th Scale Wavestar Wave Energy Converter

Numerical wave tanks (NWTs) provide efficient test beds for the numerical analysis at various stages during the development of wave energy converters (WECs). To ensure the acquisition of accurate, high-fidelity data sets, validation of NWTs is a crucial step. However, using experimental data as reference during model validation, exact knowledge of all system parameters is required, which may not always be available, thus making an incremental validation inevitable. The present paper documents the numerical model validation of a 1/20 scale Wavestar WEC. The validation is performed considering different test case of increasing complexity: wave-only, wave excitation force, free decay, forced oscillation, and wave-induced motion cases. The results show acceptable agreement between the numerical and experimental data so that, under the well-known modelling constraints for mechanical friction and uncertainties in the physical model properties, the developed numerical model can be declared as validated.

An Iterative Refining Approach to Design the Control of Wave Energy Converters with Numerical Modeling and Scaled HIL Testing

The aim of this work is to show that a significant increase of the efficiency of a Wave Energy Converter (WEC) can be achieved already at an early design stage, through the choice of a turbine and control regulation, by means of an accurate Wave-to-Wire (W2W) modeling that couples the hydrodynamic response calibrated in a wave flume to a Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) test bench with sizes and rates not matching those of the system under development. Information on this procedure is relevant to save time, because the acquisition, the installation, and the setup of a test rig are not quick and easy. Moreover, power electronics and electric machines to emulate turbines and electric generators matching the real systems are not low-cost equipment. The use of HIL is important in the development of WECs also because it allows the carrying out of tests in a controlled environment, and this is again time- and money-saving if compared to tests done on a real system installed at the sea. Furthermore, W2W modeling can be applied to several Power Take-Off (PTO) configurations to experiment different control strategies. The method here proposed, concerning a specific HIL for testing power electronics and control laws for a specific WECs, may have a more general validity.

Type synthesis of parallel mechanisms capturing wave energy

Wave energy is clean, renewable, and abundant, awaiting exploitation. A wide range of wave energy converters have been proposed so far. Oscillating body systems are an important class of wave energy converters. Many mechanisms have been invented to absorb the random wave energy. Nowadays, there is a lack of method to design the mechanism for oscillating body systems to extract the wave energy. Parallel mechanism has the advantages of high stiffness and high load, which are suitable for design of the mechanism for wave energy converters. In this paper, a procedural method based on the generalized function ( G F) sets theory is proposed to design parallel mechanisms to capture wave energy. Using this method, numerous parallel mechanisms have been obtained, which provides the foundation of the development of wave energy converters.