scholarly journals Modeling of a Heaving Buoy Wave Energy Converter With Stacked Dielectric Elastomer Generator

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Moretti ◽  
Marco Fontana ◽  
Rocco Vertechy
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Design And Optimization ◽  
And Control

This paper introduces a novel architecture of Wave Energy Converter (WEC) provided with a Dielectric Elastomer (DE) Power Take–Off (PTO) system. The device, named Poly–Buoy, includes a heaving buoy as primary interface, that captures the mechanical energy from waves, and a DE Generator (DEG), made by stacked layers of silicone elastomer, that converts mechanical energy into electricity. A mathematical model of the Poly–Buoy is proposed, which includes analytical electro–hyperlastic equations for the DEG and a linear model for wave-buoy hydrodynamics. Procedures for the design and optimization of different layouts and control strategies for the DE–PTO are introduced that specifically consider single–DEG and dual–DEG architectures. A numerical case study is also reported for specific geometrical dimensions of the buoy and specific wave climate data.

scholarly journals Analysis and Design of an Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter With Dielectric Elastomer Power Take-Off

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Moretti ◽  
Gastone Pietro Papini Rosati ◽  
Marco Alves ◽  
Manuel Grases ◽  
Rocco Vertechy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Electrostatic Energy ◽  
Oscillating Water Column ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Analysis And Design

In this paper, we present a concept of near/off-shore Oscillating Water Column (OWC) Wave Energy Converter (WEC) that is equipped with a Power Take Off (PTO) unit based on Dielectric Elastomer Generators (DEGs). DEGs are soft/deformable generators with variable capacitance able to directly convert the mechanical energy that is employed for their deformation into electrostatic energy. The proposed WEC is based on an existing tubular collector chamber of an OWC system designed by the company Sendekia, that is combined with an Inflatable Circular Diaphragm (ICD) DEG. This simplified design presents a very reduced number of moving parts showing potentially high efficiency, reliability and noise-free operation. A multi-physics dynamic model of the system is built using time domain linear hydrodynamics coupled with an analytical non-linear electro-hyperelastic model for the DEG-based PTO. The power matrix of the system is calculated for both regular and irregular waves. Some design issues are introduced showing that the electro-elastic response of the DEG provides the system with an additional stiffness that adds up to the hydrostatic stiffness and affects the resonance of the WEC. As a consequence, the geometric shape/dimensions of the OWC chamber and the layout of the DEG diaphragm should be chosen using an integrated procedure aimed at tuning the overall response of the WEC to the spectra a reference wave climate.

scholarly journals A Power Take-Off and Control Strategy in a Test Wave Energy Converter for a Moderate Wave Climate

2016 ◽  
pp. 478-483
Author(s):  
K.L. De Koker ◽  
G. Crevecoeur ◽  
B. Meersman ◽  
M. Vantorre ◽  
L. Vandevelde
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Control Strategy ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
And Control

scholarly journals A broadbanded pressure differential wave energy converter based on dielectric elastomer generators

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Righi ◽  
Giacomo Moretti ◽  
David Forehand ◽  
Lorenzo Agostini ◽  
Rocco Vertechy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Large Deformations ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Pressure Differential ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Waves

AbstractDielectric elastomer generators (DEGs) are a promising option for the implementation of affordable and reliable sea wave energy converters (WECs), as they show considerable promise in replacing expensive and inefficient power take-off systems with cheap direct-drive generators. This paper introduces a concept of a pressure differential wave energy converter, equipped with a DEG power take-off operating in direct contact with sea water. The device consists of a closed submerged air chamber, with a fluid-directing duct and a deformable DEG power take-off mounted on its top surface. The DEG is cyclically deformed by wave-induced pressure, thus acting both as the power take-off and as a deformable interface with the waves. This layout allows the partial balancing of the stiffness due to the DEG’s elasticity with the negative hydrostatic stiffness contribution associated with the displacement of the water column on top of the DEG. This feature makes it possible to design devices in which the DEG exhibits large deformations over a wide range of excitation frequencies, potentially achieving large power capture in a wide range of sea states. We propose a modelling approach for the system that relies on potential-flow theory and electroelasticity theory. This model makes it possible to predict the system dynamic response in different operational conditions and it is computationally efficient to perform iterative and repeated simulations, which are required at the design stage of a new WEC. We performed tests on a small-scale prototype in a wave tank with the aim of investigating the fluid–structure interaction between the DEG membrane and the waves in dynamical conditions and validating the numerical model. The experimental results proved that the device exhibits large deformations of the DEG power take-off over a broad range of monochromatic and panchromatic sea states. The proposed model demonstrates good agreement with the experimental data, hence proving its suitability and effectiveness as a design and prediction tool.

scholarly journals Optimizing the Power Take Off of a Wave Energy Converter With Regard to the Wave Climate

2005 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaelle Duclos ◽  
Aurelien Babarit ◽  
Alain H. Clément
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Simple Wave ◽  
Wave Climate ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Optimal Parameters ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Wave Energy Converters ◽  
Classical Wave ◽  
Project Site ◽  
Wave Conditions

Considered as a source of renewable energy, wave is a resource featuring high variability at all time scales. Furthermore wave climate also changes significantly from place to place. Wave energy converters are very often tuned to suit the more frequent significant wave period at the project site. In this paper we show that optimizing the device necessitates accounting for all possible wave conditions weighted by their annual occurrence frequency, as generally given by the classical wave climate scatter diagrams. A generic and very simple wave energy converter is considered here. It is shown how the optimal parameters can be different considering whether all wave conditions are accounted for or not, whether the device is controlled or not, whether the productive motion is limited or not. We also show how they depend on the area where the device is to be deployed, by applying the same method to three sites with very different wave climate.

Control strategies for a wave energy converter connected to a hydraulic power take-off

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 234 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Ricci ◽  
J. Lopez ◽  
M. Santos ◽  
P. Ruiz-Minguela ◽  
J.L. Villate ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Hydraulic Power

DESIGN AND CONTROL OF A 50KW CLASS ROTATING BODY TYPE WAVE ENERGY CONVERTER

2011 ◽  
pp. 1216-1223
Author(s):  
BYUNG-HAK CHO ◽  
SHIN-YEOL PARK ◽  
DONG-SOON YANG ◽  
KYUNG-SHIK CHOI ◽  
BYUNG-CHUL PARK
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Body Type ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Type Wave ◽  
Rotating Body ◽  
And Control

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 Research on design and optimization of the pitching float wave energy converter

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 3866-3882
Author(s):  
Yong Ma ◽  
Shan Ai ◽  
Lele Yang ◽  
Aiming Zhang ◽  
Sen Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Design And Optimization
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