A Very Simple Index to Determine Design Parameters of Wave Energy Converter for Wave Farm Cost Optimization

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Okamoto ◽  
Yasushi Higo ◽  
Yutaro Fukaya
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Cost Optimization ◽  
Feasibility Studies ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Wave Condition ◽  
Cost Of Electricity ◽  
Wave Farm

Expansion of the deployment site of wave power generation plant to lower wave energy sites is a key for the market size expansion, which contributes the reduction of the cost of electricity. However, it is not easy to take place from the economical view point since the revenue is limited by the low wave energy. Also, since current prototypes are designed for very energetic seas, they are too large for milder conditions. In order to improve the economic feasibility, design parameters of wave energy converter (WEC) have to be adjusted to the existing wave condition at the site. However, no method exists for this purpose. A new index to determine parameters of WEC for having better economic feasibility in wave farm is introduced in this work, so that the designer can see the relative superiority among parameter combinations without conducting complex economic feasibility studies. The index value was examined through an economic feasibility study of hypothetical wave farm project at Japan and found that it reasonably indicates the level of cost of electricity.

Modeling and Experiment of a Novel Micro Wave Energy Converter

2017 ◽  
Vol 863 ◽  
pp. 175-182
Author(s):  
Yi Ming Zhu ◽  
Zi Rong Luo ◽  
Zhong Yue Lu ◽  
Jian Zhong Shang
Keyword(s):  
Output Power ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Vertical Motion ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Drive Power ◽  
Continuous Rotation

This paper proposed a novel micro wave energy converter which can convert irregular wave energy into rotating mechanical energy, then into electrical energy. The device consists of an energy absorption part and an energy conversion part. In details, the blades are installed on the absorber circumferentially and averagely, which are capable of converting the vertical motion of the surface body to continuous rotation of the absorber and leading to a great increase in efficiency. A physical prototype was built to test the performance of the novel generator and optimize the design parameters. In the experiment part, a linear motion electric cylinder was used as the drive power to provide the heaving motion for the device. And the experiment platform was built for modeling a marine environment. Also, a data acquisition program was edited in Labview. Thus, the experiment analyzed the influence of amplitude, frequency, blade angle and resistance value to the output power, and then obtained the optimum parameters combination which can maximize the value of the output power. The result will provide reference for the device’s further application.

scholarly journals Numerical simulation of a wave energy converter using linear generator

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dang The Ba
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Linear Potential ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Wave Condition ◽  
Mechanics Model ◽  
South Central ◽  
Offshore Wave

This paper presents results of numerical simulation for a wave energy converter using linear permanent magnet generator. The use of linear permanent generator has advantages of simple structure, minimizing mechanical loose... On the base of mechanics model, a system of equations describing the operation of the device under linear potential wave was obtained. The magnetic field in generator was calculated by Flex-PDE software. The system of movement equations was numerically solved with Matlab.Various calculations were performed with different parameters of wave conditions and device's structures to determine the device’s configuration for a 300 W output power for the offshore wave condition in South-Central offshore of Vietnam. The results also show potential of developing the wave energy conversion to meet the energy demand in some coastal and island regions of Vietnam.

scholarly journals The Economic Feasibility of Floating Offshore Wave Energy Farms in the North of Spain

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Castro-Santos ◽  
Ana Bento ◽  
Carlos Guedes Soares
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
The North ◽  
Cost Of Energy ◽  
Offshore Wave ◽  
North Of Spain

A technique to analyse the economic viability of offshore farms composed of wave energy converters is proposed. Firstly, the inputs, whose value will be considered afterwards in the economic step, was calculated using geographic information software. Secondly, the energy produced by each wave converter was calculated. Then the economic factors were computed. Finally, the restriction that considers the depth of the region (bathymetry) was put together with the economic outputs, whose value depends on the floating Wave Energy Converter (WEC). The method proposed was applied to the Cantabric and Atlantic coasts in the north of Spain, a region with a good offshore wave energy resource. In addition, three representative WECs were studied: Pelamis, AquaBuoy and Wave Dragon; and five options for electric tariffs were analysed. Results show the Wave Energy Converter that has the best results regarding its LCOE (Levelized Cost of Energy), IRR (Internal Rate of Return) and NPV (Net Present Value), and which area is best for the development of a wave farm.

scholarly journals The Wave Energy Converter Design Process: Methods Applied in Industry and Shortcomings of Current Practices

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 932
Author(s):  
Ali Trueworthy ◽  
Bryony DuPont
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Optimization Methods ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Design Decisions ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Converter Design

Wave energy is among the many renewable energy technologies being researched and developed to address the increasing demand for low-emissions energy. The unique design challenges for wave energy converter design—integrating complex and uncertain technological, economic, and ecological systems, overcoming the structural challenges of ocean deployment, and dealing with complex system dynamics—have lead to a disjointed progression of research and development. There is no common design practice across the wave energy industry and there is no published synthesis of the practices that are used by developers. In this paper, we summarize the methods being employed in WEC design as well as promising methods that have yet to be applied. We contextualize these methods within an overarching design process. We present results from a survey of WEC developers to identify methods that are common in industry. From the review and survey results, we conclude that the most common methods of WEC design are iterative methods in which design parameters are defined, evaluated, and then changed based on evaluation results. This leaves a significant space for improvement of methods that help designers make better-informed decisions prior to sophisticated evaluation, and methods of using the evaluation results to make better design decisions during iteration. Despite the popularity of optimization methods in academic research, they are less common in industry development. We end this paper with a summary of the areas of WEC design in which the testing and development of new methods is necessary, and where more research is required to fully understand the influence of design decisions on WEC performance.

Preliminary Cross-Validation of Wave Energy Converter Array Interactions

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt Folley ◽  
Trevor Whittaker
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Model ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Cross Validation ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Energy Yield ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Wave Energy Converters ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Wave Farm ◽  
Energy Converters

The development of wave energy for utility-scale electricity production requires an understanding of how wave energy converters will interact with each other when part of a wave farm. Without this understanding it is difficult to calculate the energy yield from a wave farm and consequently the optimal wave farm layout and configuration cannot be determined. In addition, the uncertainty in a wave farm’s energy yield will increase the cost of finance for the project, which ultimately increases the cost of energy. Numerical modelling of wave energy converter arrays, based on potential flow, has provided some initial indications of the strength of array interactions and optimal array configurations; however, there has been limited validation of these numerical models. Moreover, the cross-validation that has been completed has been for relatively small arrays of wave energy converters. To provide some validation for large array interactions wave basin testing of three different configurations of up to 24 wave energy converters has been completed. All tests used polychromatic (irregular) sea-states, with a range of long-crested and short-crested seas, to provide validation in realistic conditions. The physical model array interactions are compared to those predicted by a numerical model and the suitability of the numerical and physical models analysed. The results are analysed at three different levels and all provide support for the cross-validation of the two models. The differences between the physical and numerical model are also identified and the implications for improving the modelling discussed.

scholarly journals Influence of Central Platform on Hydrodynamic Performance of Semi-Submerged Multi-Buoy Wave Energy Converter

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Yuan Hu ◽  
Shaohui Yang ◽  
Hongzhou He ◽  
Hu Chen
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Hydrodynamic Performance ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Wave Condition ◽  
Energy Capture ◽  
Central Platform

The influence of the central platform on hydrodynamic performance of a wave energy converter (WEC) has remained elusive. To approach this dearth of relevant theoretical research, this paper presents a semi-submerged multi-buoy WEC and the results of the numerical analysis at different dimension parameters of the central platform of the WEC. The WEC consists of three oscillating buoys hinged with a central platform through multiple actuating arms. Numerical analysis revealed that there exists a relationship between the hydrodynamic performance of device and the geometry of the central platform. At the given wave condition, different central platform size would obviously affect the hydrodynamic performance and wave energy capture width ratio of the semi-submerged multi-buoy WEC. Additionally, appropriately increasing central platform draft would help to improve the wave energy capture capability of the oscillating buoys.

scholarly journals Influence of design parameters on the structural and fatigue behaviors of a floating point wave energy converter

AIMS Energy ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-223
Author(s):  
Pedro J. B. F. N. Beirão ◽  
◽  
Cândida M. S. P. Malça ◽  
Raimundo P. Felismina
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Floating Point ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Energy Converter

Dynamic Response of a Wave Energy Converter With Resonant U-Tank

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adetoso Justus Afonja ◽  
Stefano Brizzolara
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Model ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Wave Condition ◽  
Head Waves ◽  
Tank System ◽  
Extracted Power

Abstract This paper describes the concept design and preliminary dynamic analysis of a pitching wave energy converter (WEC) device, based on a pitching resonant floater, a pitch resonance tuning tank system and Wells turbines in regular head waves. The device has a bow/stern symmetry, which gives an advantage of the U-tank been strongly coupled with the floater in the pitch degree of freedom and both chambers will have their separate pneumatic turbines. The integrated dynamic model coupling the U-tank system as given with the motion of the floating body in regular waves and the power take off (PTO) device is physically and mathematically defined. This coupling effectively creates a multi-body dynamic system and thus alters the motion response amplitude operator of the device in waves creating multiple resonance peaks. The integrated dynamic model is solved in time domain to account for non-linearities. Excitation, radiation and diffraction forces are calculated in frequency domain from a 3D boundary element method (BEM) and corrected by Cummins equation (convolution integral) for memory effects to be used in the time domain solution. The time dependent motion of the free surface creates a pressure difference inside the chamber with respect to the atmosphere which is used by the PTO turbine. The dynamic model of the integrated system is used to predict the maximum extracted power for a given incident wave power. A systematic study, considering a change in PTO damping is performed to search for the maximum extracted power in any given regular wave condition.

scholarly journals Parameters variation effects on energy recovery for a freely floating wave energy converter

2019 ◽  
Vol 286 ◽  
pp. 09002
Author(s):  
A. Jabrali ◽  
R. Khatyr ◽  
J. Khalid Naciri
Keyword(s):  
Free Surface ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Energy Recovery ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Optimum Length ◽  
Wave Condition ◽  
Multi Body ◽  
Sea Wave

This study presents the effects of parameters variations on the recovered energy for a floating wave energy converter (WEC) device. The articulated multi body floating WEC under consideration consists of two cylinders connected by a flat plate. The connections between the parts of the WEC allow the rotational movements of cylinders and the plate. The aim of this paper is to investigate the coupled effect of the length of the plate with the amplitude and period of the wave on the recovered energy by the floating WEC. The results show that the value of the optimum length for the plate is related to the sea wave condition, and more particularly to the amplitude and wavelength of the oscillations of the free surface.

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