scholarly journals Power Smoothing and Energy Storage Sizing of Vented Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter Arrays

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gimara Rajapakse ◽  
Shantha Jayasinghe ◽  
Alan Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Water Column ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Storage Systems ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Oscillating Water Column ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Water Columns ◽  
Oscillating Water Columns

Oscillating water column wave energy converter arrays can be arranged to enhance the energy production and quality of power delivered to the grid. This study investigates four different array configurations of vented oscillating water columns and their effect on power quality and capacity of the energy storage systems required to absorb power fluctuation. Configuring the array of vented oscillating water columns as a nearshore detached breakwater allows combining the benefits of their complementary features. This increases the economic optimization of wave energy converters, paving the path to the energy market. The operations of the integration schemes are evaluated using the results obtained from simulations carried out using MATLAB/Simulink software. Simulation results show that the array of vented oscillating water columns and array of vented oscillating water columns as nearshore detached breakwater configurations increase the quality of power delivered to the grid and reduce the capacity of the energy storage systems required.

Response of the U-OWC Prototype Installed in the Civitavecchia Harbour

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felice Arena ◽  
Alessandra Romolo ◽  
Giovanni Malara ◽  
Vincenzo Fiamma ◽  
Valentina Laface
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Oscillating Water Column ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Resonant Wave ◽  
Air Pocket ◽  
Water Columns ◽  
Oscillating Water Columns

The Resonant Wave Energy Converter 3 (REWEC3) is a wave energy converter belonging to the family of Oscillating Water Columns (OWCs). It comprises an oscillating water column and an air pocket connected to a turbine, as in the traditional OWCs. In addition, it has a small vertical U-shaped duct connecting the water column to the open wave field. Because of this particular geometrical configuration, it is also known as U-Oscillating Water Column (U-OWC). The first full-scale prototype was constructed in the Port of Civitavecchia (Rome, Italy), in the context of a major port enlargement. This paper shows some results of the monitoring activity pursued on one U-OWC chamber equipped with sensors measuring water and air pressures. The activity has been conducted for about 1 year. The energetic performance of the plant is investigated in the paper, via the estimation of the capture width ratio.

The First Full Operative U-OWC Plants in the Port of Civitavecchia

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felice Arena ◽  
Alessandra Romolo ◽  
Giovanni Malara ◽  
Vincenzo Fiamma ◽  
Valentina Laface
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Oscillating Water Column ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Resonant Wave ◽  
Oscillating Water Columns

The Resonant Wave Energy Converter 3 (REWEC3) is a wave energy converter belonging to the family of Oscillating Water Columns (OWCs). It comprises an oscillating water column and an air pocket connected to a turbine, as for traditional OWCs. In addition, it has a small vertical U-shaped duct used for connecting the water column to the open wave field. Because of this particular geometrical configuration, it is also known as U-Oscillating Water Column (U-OWC). During the past decade, small scale field experiments and theoretical analyses proved its potential for full scale applications. Currently, a full-scale prototype has been operating in the Port of Civitavecchia (Rome, Italy), where a REWEC3 was constructed within the context of a major port enlargement. This paper shows some results of the monitoring activity on a single chamber equipped with pressure gauges. The results show some initial energetic performances of the REWEC3 in wind-generated seas.

On the Array of Wave Energy Converters: The Case of the Coaxial-Duct OWC

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. C. Portillo ◽  
J. C. C. Henriques ◽  
R. P. F. Gomes ◽  
L. M. C. Gato ◽  
A. F. O. Falcão
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Oscillating Water Column ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Wave Energy Converters ◽  
Large Size ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Water Columns ◽  
Oscillating Water Columns

This work focuses on the initial performance assessment of an array of coaxial-duct (CD) oscillating-water-columns (owc’s) with potential to be used as multipurpose platform for the creation of value in a diverse range of offshore economic activities. The coaxial-duct owc (CD-owc) is an axisymmetric oscillating-water-column wave energy converter that has been studied for both small-size and large-size applications. This work focuses on buoys of 12 meter diameter distributed in an array of five devices, rigidly attached to each other, to form a cluster of owc’s. The objective of the study is to assess the performance of the array with this configuration and estimate the effect of parameters such as distance between devices, various modes of movements, and other constraints on the overall power output of the array. Results of different cases are compared to the performance of an isolated device to determine the interference effect of other devices. Some results validate previous research conclusions and new findings on the behavior coaxial-duct owc are presented.

An experimental and numerical analysis of an I-beam attenuator-type, oscillating water column wave energy converter

2015 ◽  
pp. 437-443
Author(s):  
Harry Bingham ◽  
Robert Read ◽  
Frederik Jakobsen ◽  
Morten Simonsen ◽  
Pablo Guillen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Water Column ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Oscillating Water Column ◽  
Energy Converter

scholarly journals Geometric Analysis through the Constructal Design of a Sea Wave Energy Converter with Several Coupled Hydropneumatic Chambers Considering the Oscillating Water Column Operating Principle

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (18) ◽  
pp. 8630
Author(s):  
Yuri Theodoro Barbosa de Lima ◽  
Mateus das Neves Gomes ◽  
Liércio André Isoldi ◽  
Elizaldo Domingues dos Santos ◽  
Giulio Lorenzini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Mass Flow Rate ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Performance Indicator ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Oscillating Water Column ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Constructal Design

The work presents a numerical study of a wave energy converter (WEC) device based on the oscillating water column (OWC) operating principle with a variation of one to five coupled chambers. The main objective is to evaluate the influence of the geometry and the number of coupled chambers to maximize the available hydropneumatic power converted in the energy extraction process. The results were analyzed using the data obtained for hydropneumatic power, pressure, mass flow rate, and the calculated performance indicator’s hydropneumatic power. The Constructal Design method associated with the Exhaustive Search optimization method was used to maximize the performance indicator and determine the optimized geometric configurations. The degrees of freedom analyzed were the ratios between the height and length of the hydropneumatic chambers. A wave tank represents the computational domain. The OWC device is positioned inside it, subject to the regular incident waves. Conservation equations of mass and momentum and one equation for the transport of the water volume fraction are solved with the finite volume method (FVM). The multiphase model volume of fluid (VOF) is used to tackle the water–air mixture. The analysis of the results took place by evaluating the performance indicator in each chamber separately and determining the accumulated power, which represents the sum of all the powers calculated in all chambers. The turbine was ignored, i.e., only the duct without it was analyzed. It was found that, among the cases examined, the device with five coupled chambers converts more energy than others and that there is an inflection point in the performance indicator, hydropneumatic power, as the value of the degree of freedom increases, characterizing a decrease in the value of the performance indicator. With the results of the hydropneumatic power, pressure, and mass flow rate, it was possible to determine a range of geometry values that maximizes the energy conversion, taking into account the cases of one to five coupled chambers and the individual influence of each one.

NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF A SAVONIUS TURBINE INSERTED IN OSCILLATING WATER COLUMN WAVE ENERGY CONVERTER

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei Santos ◽  
Filipe Branco Teixeira ◽  
Liércio Isoldi ◽  
jeferson Avila Souza ◽  
Mateus das Neves Gomes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Water Column ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Oscillating Water Column ◽  
Energy Converter

Uncertainty in Wave Basin Testing of a Fixed Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances M. Judge ◽  
Eoin Lyden ◽  
Michael O'Shea ◽  
Brian Flannery ◽  
Jimmy Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Oscillating Water Column ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
The Monte Carlo Method ◽  
Wave Basin ◽  
Measurement Location ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This research presents a methodology for carrying out uncertainty analysis on measurements made during wave basin testing of an oscillating water column wave energy converter. Values are determined for Type A and Type B uncertainty for each parameter of interest, and uncertainty is propagated using the Monte Carlo method to obtain an overall Expanded Uncertainty with a 95% confidence level associated with the Capture Width Ratio of the device. An analysis into the impact of reflections on the experimental results reveals the importance of identifying the incident and combined wave field at each measurement location used to determine device performance, in order to avoid misleading results.

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