Wave Energy Extraction Maximization in Irregular Ocean Waves Using Pseudospectral Methods

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel R. Herber ◽  
James T. Allison
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Control ◽  
Resonance Frequency ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Wave Spectrum ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Energy Extraction ◽  
Control Approach

Energy extraction from ocean waves and conversion to electrical energy is a promising form of renewable energy, yet achieving economic viability of wave energy converters (WECs) has proven challenging. In this article, the design of a heaving cylinder WEC will be explored. The optimal plant (i.e. draft and radius) design space with respect to the design’s optimal control (i.e. power take-off trajectory) for maximum energy production is characterized. Irregular waves based on the Bretschneider wave spectrum are considered. The optimization problem was solved using a pseudospectral method, a direct optimal control approach that can incorporate practical design constraints, such as power flow, actuation force, and slamming. The results provide early-stage guidelines for WEC design. Results show the resonance frequency required for optimal energy production with a regular wave is quite different than the resonance frequency found for irregular waves; specifically, it is much higher.

Wave Energy Extraction Maximization Using Direct Transcription

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
James T. Allison ◽  
Allen Kaitharath ◽  
Daniel R. Herber
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Control ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Nonlinear Models ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Open Loop ◽  
Energy Extraction ◽  
Optimal Control Strategy ◽  
Direct Transcription ◽  
Wave Energy Converters

Wave energy converters (WECs) extract energy from the motion of ocean waves. A variety of different WEC devices have been studied over the past several decades, with emphasis on cost-effective energy extraction. Active control has been shown to improve energy production significantly. Here we investigate energy extraction potential of a tethered heaving cylinder WEC using direct transcription (DT), an open-loop optimal control strategy. This enables direct inclusion of asymmetric constraints on power and tether force, practical considerations not considered in previous studies, and opens the door to WEC optimal control problems with more realistic nonlinear models and integration of control design with physical system design.

Wave Attenuation Performance of Floating Breakwater Needs to be Evaluated by Using Irregular Waves

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chien Ming Wang ◽  
Huu Phu Nguyen ◽  
Jeong Cheol Park ◽  
Mengmeng Han ◽  
Nagi abdussamie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transmission Coefficient ◽  
Wave Height ◽  
Wave Attenuation ◽  
Wave Spectrum ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Regular Waves ◽  
Transmission Coefficients ◽  
Floating Breakwater ◽  
Floating Breakwaters

<p>Floating breakwaters have been used to protect shorelines, marinas, very large floating structures, dockyards, fish farms, harbours and ports from harsh wave environments. A floating breakwater outperforms its bottom-founded counterpart with respect to its environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness in relatively deep waters or soft seabed conditions, flexibility for expansion and downsizing and its mobility to be towed away. The effectiveness of a floating breakwater design is assessed by its wave attenuation performance that is measured by the wave transmission coefficient (i.e., the ratio of the transmitted wave height to the incident wave height or the ratio of the transmitted wave energy to the incident wave energy). In some current design guidelines for floating breakwaters, the transmission coefficient is estimated based on the assumption that the realistic ocean waves may be represented by regular waves that are characterized by the significant wave period and wave height of the wave spectrum. There is no doubt that the use of regular waves is simple for practicing engineers designing floating breakwaters. However, the validity and accuracy of using regular waves in the evaluation of wave attenuation performance of floating breakwaters have not been thoroughly discussed in the open literature. This study examines the wave transmission coefficients of floating breakwaters by performing hydrodynamic analysis of some large floating breakwaters in ocean waves modelled as regular waves as well as irregular waves described by a wave spectrum such as the Bretschneider spectrum. The formulation of the governing fluid motion and boundary conditions are based on classical linear hydrodynamic theory. The floating breakwater is assumed to take the shape of a long rectangular box modelled by the Mindlin thick plate theory. The finite element – boundary element method was employed to solve the fluid-structure interaction problem. By considering heave-only floating box-type breakwaters of 200m and 500m in length, it is found that the transmission coefficients obtained by using the regular wave model may be smaller (or larger) than that obtained by using the irregular wave model by up to 55% (or 40%). These significant differences in the transmission coefficient estimated by using regular and irregular waves indicate that simplifying assumption of realistic ocean waves as regular waves leads to significant over/underprediction of wave attenuation performance of floating breakwaters. Thus, when designing floating breakwaters, the ocean waves have to be treated as irregular waves modelled by a wave spectrum that best describes the wave condition at the site. This conclusion is expected to motivate a revision of design guidelines for floating breakwaters for better prediction of wave attenuation performance. Also, it is expected to affect how one carries out experiments on floating breakwaters in a wave basin to measure the wave transmission coefficients.</p>

scholarly journals A Wave Energy Extraction System in Experimental Flume

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Qin Guodong ◽  
Pang Quanru ◽  
Chen Zhongxian
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Ocean Wave ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Extraction System ◽  
Energy Extraction ◽  
Linear Generator ◽  
Ocean Wave Energy ◽  
Experimental Flume

Ocean wave energy is a high energy density and renewable resource. High power conversion rate is an advantage of linear generators to be the competitive candidates for ocean wave energy extraction system. In this paper, the feasibility of a wave energy extraction system by linear generator has been verified in an experimental flume. Besides, the analytical equations of heaving buoy oscillating in vertical direction are proposed, and the analytical equations are proved conveniently. What is more, the active power output of linear generator of wave energy extraction system in experimental flume is presented. The theoretical analysis and experimental results play a significant role for future wave energy extraction system progress in real ocean waves.

Optimum Power Capture of a New Wave Energy Converter in Irregular Waves

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
George A. Aggidis ◽  
Mohammad T. Rahmati ◽  
Robert V. Chaplin ◽  
Andrew P. McCabe ◽  
Majid A. Bhinder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Spectrum ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Mean Power ◽  
Peak Period ◽  
Point Absorber ◽  
Power Capture

This paper presents the optimum power capture of a new point-absorber wave energy converter, in irregular waves. A stepwise control system for the wave energy converter (WEC) is developed. The control system is used to efficiently extract power from irregular waves where amplitudes vary from wave to wave. The Bretschneider spectrum is used in the experiment and the device is ‘tuned’ to the peak period of the sea state. It is shown that this WEC has a reasonable capture width in irregular waves. However, the optimum mean power depends on the wave spectrum, the shape of the collector body, its freeboard and the device pivot depth.

Experimental Investigation of Irregular Wave Cancellation Using a Cycloidal Wave Energy Converter

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan G. Siegel ◽  
Casey Fagley ◽  
Marcus Römer ◽  
Thomas McLaughlin
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Deep Ocean ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Irregular Wave ◽  
Wave Measurements ◽  
Wave Heights ◽  
Significant Wave Heights

The ability of a Cycloidal Wave Energy Converter (CycWEC) to cancel irregular deep ocean waves is investigated in a 1:300 scale wave tunnel experiment. A CycWEC consists of one or more hydrofoils attached equidistant to a shaft that is aligned parallel to the incoming waves. The entire device is fully submerged in operation. Wave cancellation requires synchronization of the rotation of the CycWEC with the incoming waves, as well as adjustment of the pitch angle of the blades in proportion to the wave height. The performance of a state estimator and controller that achieve this objective were investigated, using the signal from a resistive wave gage located up-wave of the CycWEC as input. The CycWEC model used for the present investigations features two blades that are adjustable in pitch in real time. The performance of the CycWEC for both a superposition of two harmonic waves, as well as irregular waves following a Bretschneider spectrum is shown. Wave cancellation efficiencies as determined by wave measurements of about 80% for the majority of the cases are achieved, with wave periods varying from 0.4s to 0.75s and significant wave heights of Hs ≈ 20mm. This demonstrates that the CycWEC can efficiently interact with irregular waves, which is in good agreement with earlier results obtained from numerical simulations.

Reduction of the Non-Causal Horizon of the Optimal Wave Energy Converter Control

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romain Genest ◽  
Alain H. Clément
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Control ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Absorption Capacity ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Complex Conjugate ◽  
Prediction Horizon ◽  
Control Command ◽  
Point Absorbers ◽  
Incident Waves

In our days, wave energy still remains an important resource of renewable energy that has not been yet completely exploited and fully understood. Various prototypes of point absorbers have already been tested numerically and experimentally in wave-tanks or real sea, but only a few of them has reach the full scale prototype stage. For the family of wave absorbers based on oscillating bodies principle, the energy production may be enhanced by motion control. The choice of a particular mode of control remains decisive in the design of point absorbers and is closely linked to the mechanism architecture. It has been shown [1] that the theoretical maximum absorption can be reached by bringing the system into resonance applying a so called “complex-conjugate” control. Several sub optimal control strategies have been derived from this observation, trying to overcome the draw-backs of this method, mainly the non-causality of the optimal control [3]. Non-causality implies that one needs to predict the excitation signal in the near future to optimize the control command. The aim of the present study is to propose a new methodology to reduce the prediction horizon needed to apply a complex-conjugate control. Afterwards, a simplification is made leading to a causal non-adaptive control. In this study, a cylindrical buoy constrained to move in heave only is employed to test numerically the aforementioned control. Numerical comparisons are made under regular and irregular waves with the performance of control based on the classical complex-conjugate method. The new method shows a good energy absorption capacity for a broad range of frequency without having to adapt the control regulator unit to the incident waves.

Wave Propagation in Continuous Sea Ice: An Experimental Perspective

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulio Passerotti ◽  
Alberto Alberello ◽  
Azam Dolatshah ◽  
Luke Bennetts ◽  
Otto Puolakka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Continuous Model ◽  
Ice Cover ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Ice Melt

Abstract Ocean waves penetrate hundreds of kilometres into the ice-covered ocean. Waves fracture the level ice into small floes, herd floes, introduce warm water and overwash the floes, accelerating ice melt and causing collisions, which concurrently erodes the floes and influences the large-scale deformation. Concomitantly, interactions between waves and the sea ice cause wave energy to reduce with distance travelled into the ice cover, attenuating wave driven effects. Here a pilot experiment in the ice tank at Aalto University (Finland) is presented to discuss how the properties of irregular small amplitude (linear) waves change as they propagate through continuous model sea ice. Irregular waves with a JONSWAP spectral shape were mechanically generated with a very low initial wave steepness to avoid ice break up and maintain a consistent continuous ice cover throughout the experiments. Observations show an exponential attenuation of wave energy with distance. High frequency components attenuated more rapidly than the low frequency counterparts, in agreement with a frequency-cubed power-law. The more effective attenuation in the high frequency range induced a substantial downshift of the spectral peak, stretching the dominant wave component as it propagates in ice.

Numerical and Experimental Modeling of Direct-Drive Wave Energy Extraction Devices

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Elwood ◽  
Solomon Yim ◽  
Alex Yokochi ◽  
Ken Rhinefrank ◽  
Joe Prudell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Modeling ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Electric Utility ◽  
Energy Extraction ◽  
Direct Drive ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Promising Source

The solutions to today’s energy challenges need to be explored through alternative, renewable and clean energy sources to enable a diverse national energy resource plan. An extremely abundant and promising source of energy exists in the world’s oceans in the forms of wave, tidal, marine current, thermal (temperature gradient) and salinity. Among these forms, significant opportunities and benefits have been identified in the area of wave energy extraction. Waves have several advantages over other forms of renewable energy such as wind and solar, in that the waves are more available (seasonal, but more constant) and more predictable, thus enabling more straightforward and reliable integration into the electric utility grid. Wave energy also offers higher energy densities, enabling devices to extract more power from a smaller volume at consequent lower costs. However, many engineering challenges need to be overcome to ensure wave energy device survivability, reliability and maintainability, in addition to efficient and high quality power take-off systems. Optimizing wave energy technologies requires a multi-disciplinary team from areas such as Electrical, Chemical, Ocean, Civil and Mechanical Engineering, to enable innovative systems-level research and development. This paper presents some recent research developments on experimental and numerical modeling on direct-drive approaches and the associated devices designed to convert the motion of the ocean waves into electrical energy using point absorber wave energy converters. This research is focused on a simplification of processes, i.e., replacing systems using intermediate hydraulics or pneumatics with direct-drive approaches to allow generators to respond directly to the movement of the ocean by employing magnetic fields for contact-less mechanical energy transmission, and power electronics for efficient electrical energy extraction. The term “direct” drive describes the direct coupling of the buoy’s velocity and force to the generator without the use of hydraulic fluid or air. The wave energy buoy and spar are designed to efficiently capture ocean wave energy and transfer it to the generator. These buoys have been tested at the Oregon State University O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory, with planned testing off the coast of Oregon. The paper will examine several direct-drive approaches, including electrical and mechanical design characteristics, describe the numerical modeling of the associated conceptual devices, prototype testing, and some ongoing research on the dynamics of buoy generator systems for design optimization.

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