Wave Energy Assessment at Valencia Gulf and Comparison of Energy Production of Most Suitable Wave Energy Converters

Seaports’ energy strategy should rely on the use of renewable energy. Presently, the share of renewable energy used by many of the ports worldwide is negligible. Some initiatives are in the process of implementation to produce some of the energy used by the Port of Valencia, one the largest ports in the Mediterranean Basin. Among these initiatives, a photovoltaic plant with an installed capacity of 5.5 MW is under a tendering process and the assessment studies for the deployment of three to five windmills are close to being finished. However, this is not enough to make it a “zero emissions port” as some of the energy demand would still be covered by fossil fuels. Therefore, we should consider clean alternative energy sources. This article analyses the wave energy resources in the surroundings of the Port of Valencia using a 7-year series of data obtained from numerical modelling (forecast). The spatial distribution of wave power is analysed using data from 3 SIMAR points at Valencia Bay and is compared to the data obtained by the Valencia Buoy I (removed in 2005). The obtained results are used to estimate the power matrices and the average energy output of two wave energy converters suitable to be integrated into the port’s infrastructure. Finally, the wave energy converters’ production is compared to the average amount of energy that is forecast to be obtained from other renewable sources such as solar and wind. Due to the nature of the Gulf’s wave climate (mostly low waves), the main conclusion is that the energy obtainable from the waves in the Valencia Gulf will be in correlation with such climate. However, when dealing with great energy consumers every source of production is worthwhile and further research is needed to optimize the production of energy from renewable sources and its use in an industrial environment such as ports.

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The effect of arrays of wave energy converters on the nearshore wave climate

Ocean Engineering ◽

10.1016/j.oceaneng.2018.11.043 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 172 ◽

pp. 373-384 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Reduan Atan ◽

William Finnegan ◽

Stephen Nash ◽

Jamie Goggins

Keyword(s):

Wave Energy ◽

Wave Climate ◽

Wave Energy Converters ◽

Energy Converters

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Electrical Power Generation from the Oceanic Wave for Sustainable Advancement in Renewable Energy Technologies

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12062178 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 2178 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Omar Farrok ◽

Koushik Ahmed ◽

Abdirazak Dahir Tahlil ◽

Mohamud Mohamed Farah ◽

Mahbubur Rahman Kiran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Power Generation ◽

Renewable Energy ◽

Electrical Power Generation ◽

Wave Energy ◽

Electrical Power ◽

Extensive Literature ◽

Energy Devices ◽

Wave Energy Converters ◽

Oceanic Wave ◽

Energy Converters

Recently, electrical power generation from oceanic waves is becoming very popular, as it is prospective, predictable, and highly available compared to other conventional renewable energy resources. In this paper, various types of nearshore, onshore, and offshore wave energy devices, including their construction and working principle, are explained explicitly. They include point absorber, overtopping devices, oscillating water column, attenuators, oscillating wave surge converters, submerged pressure differential, rotating mass, and bulge wave converter devices. The encounters and obstacles of electrical power generation from the oceanic wave are discussed in detail. The electrical power generation methods of the generators involved in wave energy devices are depicted. In addition, the vital control technologies in wave energy converters and devices are described for different cases. At present, piezoelectric materials are also being implemented in the design of wave energy converters as they convert mechanical motion directly into electrical power. For this reason, various models of piezoelectric material-based wave energy devices are illustrated. The statistical reports and extensive literature survey presented in this review show that there is huge potential for oceanic wave energy. Therefore, it is a highly prospective branch of renewable energy, which would play a significant role in the near future.

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Parametric Evaluation of the Performance Characteristics of Tight Moored Wave Energy Converters

24th International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering: Volume 2 ◽

10.1115/omae2005-67338 ◽

2005 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Spyridon A. Mavrakos ◽

Georgios M. Katsaounis

Keyword(s):

Wave Energy ◽

Wave Climate ◽

The Body ◽

Performance Characteristics ◽

Hydrodynamic Characteristics ◽

Wave Forces ◽

Diffraction Radiation ◽

Climate Conditions ◽

Wave Energy Converters ◽

Energy Converters

The paper aims at presenting a numerical model to predict performance characteristics of tight moored vertical axisymmetric wave energy converters that are allowed to move in heave, pitch and sway modes of motion. The hydrodynamic characteristics (exciting wave forces, hydrodynamic parameters) of the floats are evaluated using a linearized diffraction–radiation method of analysis that is suited for the type of bodies under consideration. According to this method matched axisymmetric eigenfunction expansions of the velocity potentials in properly defined fluid regions around the body are introduced to solve the respective diffraction and radiation problems and to calculate the floats’ hydrodynamic characteristics in the frequency domain. Based on these characteristics, the retardation forcing terms are calculated, which account for the memory effects of the motion. In this procedure, the coupling terms between the different modes of motion are properly formulated and taken into account. The floating WEC is connected to an underwater piston that feeds a hydraulic system with pressurized fluid. Numerical results showing parametrically the performance characteristics in terms of the expected power production for several types of floats that are exposed to the wave climate conditions commonly encountered in the Mediterranean area are presented and discussed.

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Integration of Marine Wave Energy Converters into Seaports: A Case Study in the Port of Valencia

Energies ◽

10.3390/en12050787 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 787 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Raúl Cascajo ◽

Emilio García ◽

Eduardo Quiles ◽

Antonio Correcher ◽

Francisco Morant

Keyword(s):

Wave Energy ◽

Energy Demand ◽

Energy Potential ◽

Wave Energy Converters ◽

Wave Power Potential ◽

A Prospective Study ◽

Different Sources ◽

New Infrastructure ◽

Energy Converters

A feasibility study for the installation of Wave Energy Converters (WEC) in a Spanish Mediterranean port is evaluated in this paper. The final aim is to evaluate the possibility of building a new infrastructure which combines a breakwater and a WEC able to provide energy to the commercial port of Valencia. An estimation of the wave power potential is made according to existing databases from different sources. A review of the existing WEC types is carried out in order to choose the most suitable technology for its installation in a port environment. The authors discuss the main advantages and issues of the integration of WEC in port breakwaters. A prospective study for the Port of Valencia is made, considering the port energy demand evolution, historical data on wave energy potential and the port expansion plans. We conclude that Overtopping Devices (OTDs) are the most suitable ones to allow the good integration with the new breakwater needed for the expansion of the Port of Valencia and we give an estimation on the power available from the resource in our case study.

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Hydrodynamic Behavior of Overtopping Wave Energy Converters Built in Sea Defense Structures

29th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering: Volume 3 ◽

10.1115/omae2010-20372 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Lander Victor ◽

Jens Peter Kofoed ◽

Peter Troch

Keyword(s):

Wave Energy ◽

Sea Water ◽

Wave Climate ◽

Wave Flume ◽

Wave Energy Converters ◽

Physical Model Tests ◽

Vertical Walls ◽

Linear Slope ◽

Energy Converters

Many sea defense structures need to be adapted to the rising sea water level and changing wave climate due to global warming. The accordingly required investments open perspectives for wave energy converters (WECs) — that are built as part of the sea defense structures — to become economically viable. In this paper the average overtopping discharges q of overtopping wave energy converters built in sea defense structures are studied. Physical model tests with this type of devices have been carried out in a wave flume leading to experimentally determined values for the average overtopping discharge q. These experimental data are compared with predicted average overtopping discharges using existing empirical formulae from literature — derived mainly for sea defense structures. Overtopping WECs have small relative crest freeboard heights and smooth slopes to maximize overtopping, which is contradictive to the basic role of sea defense structures. As a consequence, the experimentally achieved average overtopping discharges are situated in a range that is not well covered by the existing traditional prediction formulae. The presented results for linear-slope overtopping WECs fill the gap between those for smooth dikes and those for plain vertical walls. The overtopping behavior in that particular range is discussed in this paper.

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Power Absorption Measures and Comparisons of Selected Wave Energy Converters

Volume 5: Ocean Space Utilization; Ocean Renewable Energy ◽

10.1115/omae2011-49360 ◽

2011 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Aure´lien Babarit ◽

Jorgen Hals ◽

Adi Kurniawan ◽

Torgeir Moan ◽

Jorgen Krokstad

Keyword(s):

Wave Energy ◽

Numerical Models ◽

Energy Output ◽

Absorbed Energy ◽

Wave Energy Converters ◽

Working Principle ◽

Two Bodies ◽

Selection Of ◽

European Coast ◽

Energy Converters

In this study, a selection of Wave Energy Converters (WECs) with different working principle is considered. It comprises a heaving device reacting against the seabed, a heaving self-reacting two-bodies device, a pitching device, and a floating OWC device. They are inspired by concepts which are currently under development. For each of these concepts, a numerical Wave To Wire (W2W) model is derived. Numerical estimates of the energy delivery which one can expect are derived using these numerical models on a selection of wave site along the European coast. This selection of wave site is thought to be representative with levels of mean annual wave power from 15 to 88 kW/m. Using these results, the performance of each WEC is assessed not only in terms of yearly energy output, but also in terms of yearly absorbed energy/displacement, yearly absorbed energy/wetted surface, and yearly absorbed energy per unit significant Power Take Off force. By comparing these criteria, one gets a better idea of the advantages and drawbacks of each of the studied concepts.

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Design, Fabrication, Simulation and Testing of a Novel Ocean Wave Energy Converter

Volume 1: Processing ◽

10.1115/msec2015-9444 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Changwei Liang ◽

Junxiao Ai ◽

Lei Zuo

Keyword(s):

Wave Energy ◽

Energy Demand ◽

Energy Resource ◽

Wave Energy Converter ◽

Ocean Wave ◽

Energy Converter ◽

Wave Energy Converters ◽

Ocean Wave Energy ◽

Linear Electromagnetic Motor ◽

Energy Converters

The total useful wave resource around the world is estimated to be larger than 2 TW. Harvesting a small portion of the available wave energy resource could contribute significantly to meet the urgent energy demand. Therefore, a lot of wave energy converters have been developed in the past decades. Traditionally, air turbine, hydroelectric motor and linear electromagnetic motor are used in wave energy converters as the power takeoff system. Although these power takeoffs have their own advantages, power takeoffs are still recognized as the most important challenge in ocean wave energy technology. In this paper, a mechanical motion rectifier (MMR) based power takeoff system is proposed and prototyped for wave energy converter. This power takeoff system can convert the bi-directional wave motion into unidirectional rotation of the generator by integrating two one-way clutches into a rack pinion system. A 500W prototype which contains a heaving buoy and MMR-based power takeoff system was designed and fabricated. The models of power takeoff system and the corresponding single-buoy wave energy converter are built and analyzed. Lab testing of power takeoff mechanism and ocean testing of the overall ocean wave converter system are also conducted.

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