scholarly journals Influence of Power Take-Off Modelling on the Far-Field Effects of Wave Energy Converter Farms

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 429
Author(s):  
Gael Verao Fernandez ◽  
Vasiliki Stratigaki ◽  
Nicolas Quartier ◽  
Peter Troch
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Coupled Model ◽  
Wave Structure ◽  
Propagation Model ◽  
Far Field ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Coupled Models ◽  
Structure Interaction ◽  
Field Effects ◽  
Wave Structure Interaction

The study of the potential impact of wave energy converter (WEC) farms on the surrounding wave field at long distances from the WEC farm location (also know as “far field” effects) has been a topic of great interest in the past decade. Typically, “far-field” effects have been studied using phase average or phase resolving numerical models using a parametrization of the WEC power absorption using wave transmission coefficients. Most recent studies have focused on using coupled models between a wave-structure interaction solver and a wave-propagation model, which offer a more complex and accurate representation of the WEC hydrodynamics and PTO behaviour. The difference in the results between the two aforementioned approaches has not been studied yet, nor how different ways of modelling the PTO system can affect wave propagation in the lee of the WEC farm. The Coastal Engineering Research Group of Ghent University has developed both a parameterized model using the sponge layer technique in the mild slope wave propagation model MILDwave and a coupled model MILDwave-NEMOH (NEMOH is a boundary element method-based wave-structure interaction solver), for studying the “far-field” effects of WEC farms. The objective of the present study is to perform a comparison between both numerical approaches in terms of performance for obtaining the “far-field” effects of two WEC farms. Results are given for a series of regular wave conditions, demonstrating a better accuracy of the MILDwave-NEMOH coupled model in obtaining the wave disturbance coefficient (Kd) values around the considered WEC farms. Subsequently, the analysis is extended to study the influence of the PTO system modelling technique on the “far-field” effects by considering: (i) a linear optimal, (ii) a linear sub-optimal and (iii) a non-linear hydraulic PTO system. It is shown that modelling a linear optimal PTO system can lead to an unrealistic overestimation of the WEC motions than can heavily affect the wave height at a large distance in the lee of the WEC farm. On the contrary, modelling of a sub-optimal PTO system and of a hydraulic PTO system leads to a similar, yet reduced impact on the “far-field” effects on wave height. The comparison of the PTO systems’ modelling technique shows that when using coupled models, it is necessary to carefully model the WEC hydrodynamics and PTO behaviour as they can introduce substantial inaccuracies into the WECs’ motions and the WEC farm “far-field” effects.

scholarly journals Wake Effect Assessment in Long- and Short-Crested Seas of Heaving-Point Absorber and Oscillating Wave Surge WEC Arrays

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gael Verao Fernandez ◽  
Vasiliki Stratigaki ◽  
Panagiotis Vasarmidis ◽  
Philip Balitsky ◽  
Peter Troch
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Wave Structure ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Wake Effect ◽  
Coupled Models ◽  
Propagation Models ◽  
Power Absorption ◽  
Structure Interaction ◽  
Wake Effects ◽  
Wave Structure Interaction

In the recent years, the potential impact of wave energy converter (WEC) arrays on the surrounding wave field has been studied using both phase-averaging and phase-resolving wave propagation models. Obtaining understanding of this impact is important because it may affect other users in the sea or on the coastline. However, in these models a parametrization of the WEC power absorption is often adopted. This may lead to an overestimation or underestimation of the overall WEC array power absorption, and thus to an unrealistic estimation of the potential WEC array impact. WEC array power absorption is a result of energy extraction from the incoming waves, and thus wave height decrease is generally observed downwave at large distances (the so-called “wake” or “far-field” effects). Moreover, the power absorption depends on the mutual interactions between the WECs of an array (the so-called “near field” effects). To deal with the limitations posed by wave propagation models, coupled models of recent years, which are nesting wave-structure interaction solvers into wave propagation models, have been used. Wave-structure interaction solvers can generally provide detailed hydrodynamic information around the WECs and a more realistic representation of wave power absorption. Coupled models have shown a lower WEC array impact in terms of wake effects compared to wave propagation models. However, all studies to date in which coupled models are employed have been performed using idealized long-crested waves. Ocean waves propagate with a certain directional spreading that affects the redistribution of wave energy in the lee of WEC arrays, and thus gaining insight wake effect for irregular short-crested sea states is crucial. In our research, a new methodology is introduced for the assessment of WEC array wake effects for realistic sea states. A coupled model is developed between the wave-structure interaction solver NEMOH and the wave propagation model MILDwave. A parametric study is performed showing a comparison between WEC array wake effects for regular, long-crested irregular, and short-crested irregular waves. For this investigation, a nine heaving-point absorber array is used for which the wave height reduction is found to be up to 8% lower at 1.0 km downwave the WEC array when changing from long-crested to short-crested irregular waves. Also, an oscillating wave surge WEC array is simulated and the overestimation of the wake effects in this case is up to 5%. These differences in wake effects between different wave types indicates the need to consider short-crested irregular waves to avoid overestimating the WEC array potential impacts. The MILDwave-NEMOH coupled model has proven to be a reliable numerical tool, with an efficient computational effort for simulating the wake effects of two different WEC arrays under the action of a range of different sea states.

scholarly journals Coupling Methodology for Studying the Far Field Effects of Wave Energy Converter Arrays over a Varying Bathymetry

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gael Verao Fernandez ◽  
Philip Balitsky ◽  
Vasiliki Stratigaki ◽  
Peter Troch
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Coupled Model ◽  
Propagation Model ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Computational Time ◽  
Far Field ◽  
Field Effects ◽  
Numerical Tool

For renewable wave energy to operate at grid scale, large arrays of Wave Energy Converters (WECs) need to be deployed in the ocean. Due to the hydrodynamic interactions between the individual WECs of an array, the overall power absorption and surrounding wave field will be affected, both close to the WECs (near field effects) and at large distances from their location (far field effects). Therefore, it is essential to model both the near field and far field effects of WEC arrays. It is difficult, however, to model both effects using a single numerical model that offers the desired accuracy at a reasonable computational time. The objective of this paper is to present a generic coupling methodology that will allow to model both effects accurately. The presented coupling methodology is exemplified using the mild slope wave propagation model MILDwave and the Boundary Elements Methods (BEM) solver NEMOH. NEMOH is used to model the near field effects while MILDwave is used to model the WEC array far field effects. The information between the two models is transferred using a one-way coupling. The results of the NEMOH-MILDwave coupled model are compared to the results from using only NEMOH for various test cases in uniform water depth. Additionally, the NEMOH-MILDwave coupled model is validated against available experimental wave data for a 9-WEC array. The coupling methodology proves to be a reliable numerical tool as the results demonstrate a difference between the numerical simulations results smaller than 5% and between the numerical simulations results and the experimental data ranging from 3% to 11%. The simulations are subsequently extended for a varying bathymetry, which will affect the far field effects. As a result, our coupled model proves to be a suitable numerical tool for simulating far field effects of WEC arrays for regular and irregular waves over a varying bathymetry.

scholarly journals Irregular Wave Validation of a Coupling Methodology for Numerical Modelling of Near and Far Field Effects of Wave Energy Converter Arrays

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gael Fernández ◽  
Vasiliki Stratigaki ◽  
Peter Troch
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Wave Field ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Coupled Model ◽  
Propagation Model ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Far Field ◽  
Engineering Research ◽  
Field Effects

Between the Wave Energy Converters (WECs) of a farm, hydrodynamic interactions occur and have an impact on the surrounding wave field, both close to the WECs (“near field” effects) and at large distances from their location (“far field” effects). To simulate this “far field” impact in a fast and accurate way, a generic coupling methodology between hydrodynamic models has been developed by the Coastal Engineering Research Group of Ghent University in Belgium. This coupling methodology has been widely used for regular waves. However, it has not been developed yet for realistic irregular sea states. The objective of this paper is to present a validation of the novel coupling methodology for the test case of irregular waves, which is demonstrated here for coupling between the mild slope wave propagation model, MILDwave, and the ‘Boundary Element Method’-based wave–structure interaction solver, NEMOH. MILDwave is used to model WEC farm “far field” effects, while NEMOH is used to model “near field” effects. The results of the MILDwave-NEMOH coupled model are validated against numerical results from NEMOH, and against the WECwakes experimental data for a single WEC, and for WEC arrays of five and nine WECs. Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) between disturbance coefficient (Kd) values in the entire numerical domain ( R M S E K d , D ) are used for evaluating the performed validation. The R M S E K d , D between results from the MILDwave-NEMOH coupled model and NEMOH is lower than 2.0% for the performed test cases, and between the MILDwave-NEMOH coupled model and the WECwakes experimental data R M S E K d , D remains below 10%. Consequently, the efficiency is demonstrated of the coupling methodology validated here which is used to simulate WEC farm impact on the wave field under the action of irregular waves.

scholarly journals POST-BOUSSINESQ MODEL FOR NONLINEAR IRREGULAR WAVE PROPAGATION IN PORTS AND WAVE-STRUCTURE INTERACTION

2020 ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Theofanis Karambas ◽  
Christos Makris ◽  
Vasilis Baltikas
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Water Waves ◽  
Wave Breaking ◽  
Wave Structure ◽  
Wave Transformation ◽  
Boussinesq Model ◽  
Weakly Nonlinear ◽  
Structure Interaction ◽  
Irregular Wave ◽  
Wave Structure Interaction

In this work, an updated version of the Karambas and Memos (2009) Boussinesq model for weakly nonlinear fully dispersive water waves, is introduced. It is implemented for wave propagation and transformation (due to shoaling, refraction, diffraction, bottom friction, wave breaking, runup, wave-structure interaction etc.) in nearshore zones and inside ports. One of the main goals is the model's thorough validation, thus it is tested against experimental data of wave transmission over and through breakwaters, uni- and multi-directional spectral wave transformation over complex bathymetries and diffraction through a breakwater gap. Case studies of model application over realistic variable bathymetries at characteristic Greek ports are also presented. Recorded Presentation from the vICCE (YouTube Link): https://youtu.be/w8-AfAW6EYM

A New Coupled Model for the Assessment of Offshore Structures in Non-Gaussian Seas

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Griet Decorte ◽  
Alessandro Toffoli ◽  
Geert Lombaert ◽  
Jaak Monbaliu
Keyword(s):  
Coupled Model ◽  
Wave Interaction ◽  
Wave Structure ◽  
Offshore Structures ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Structure Interaction ◽  
Cfd Models ◽  
Non Gaussian ◽  
Wave Structure Interaction ◽  
Interaction Phenomena

Abstract Although wave-wave interaction phenomena in random seas have shown to lead to a departure from Gaussian statistics and therefore to a higher occurrence of extreme waves, they are usually not taken along in the assessment of the dynamic behaviour of offshore structures. Supported by a rapid increase of computational resources, the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models has become viable for studying the above mentioned wave-structure interaction phenomena. Still, these models remain computationally expensive, which impedes their use for the large domains and the long periods of time necessary for studying non-Gaussian seas. Therefore, a one-way domain decomposition strategy is proposed, which takes advantage of the recent advances in CFD as well as of the computational benefits of the higher-order spectral (HOS) models previously used to assess non-Gaussian seas. The unidirectional non-Gaussian sea obtained by this coupled HOS-CFD model shows excellent agreement with the target wave field generated by the higher-order spectral numerical wave tank. In addition, the wave-structure interaction for a simplified monopile, which is excited by a non-Gaussian sea, seems to be captured well.

scholarly journals Investigation of a Stochastic Inverse Method to Estimate an External Force: Applications to a Wave-Structure Interaction

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Han ◽  
Takeshi Kinoshita
Keyword(s):  
External Force ◽  
Inverse Method ◽  
Inverse Function ◽  
Wave Structure ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Structure Interaction ◽  
External Forces ◽  
Interaction Problem ◽  
Wave Structure Interaction

The determination of an external force is a very important task for the purpose of control, monitoring, and analysis of damages on structural system. This paper studies a stochastic inverse method that can be used for determining external forces acting on a nonlinear vibrating system. For the purpose of estimation, a stochastic inverse function is formulated to link an unknown external force to an observable quantity. The external force is then estimated from measurements of dynamic responses through the formulated stochastic inverse model. The applicability of the proposed method was verified with numerical examples and laboratory tests concerning the wave-structure interaction problem. The results showed that the proposed method is reliable to estimate the external force acting on a nonlinear system.

scholarly journals Efficient Solution of the 3D Laplace Problem for Nonlinear Wave-Structure Interaction

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry B. Bingham ◽  
Allan P. Engsig-Karup
Keyword(s):  
Nonlinear Wave ◽  
Efficient Solution ◽  
Wave Structure ◽  
Finite Difference Schemes ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Computational Domain ◽  
Problem Size ◽  
Structure Interaction ◽  
Nonlinear Wave Structure ◽  
Wave Structure Interaction

This contribution presents our recent progress on developing an efficient solution for fully nonlinear wave-structure interaction. The approach is to solve directly the three-dimensional (3D) potential flow problem. The time evolution of the wave field is captured by integrating the free-surface boundary conditions using a fourth-order Runge-Kutta scheme. A coordinate-transformation is employed to obtain a time-constant spatial computational domain which is discretized using arbitrary-order finite difference schemes on a grid with one stretching in each coordinate direction. The resultant linear system of equations is solved by the GMRES iterative method, preconditioned using a multigrid solution to the linearized, lowest-order version of the matrix. The computational effort and required memory use are shown to scale linearly with increasing problem size (total number of grid points). Preliminary examples of nonlinear wave interaction with variable bottom bathymetry and simple bottom mounted structures are given.

scholarly journals Wave–structure interaction in hybrid wave farms

2018 ◽  
Vol 83 ◽  
pp. 386-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siming Zheng ◽  
Yongliang Zhang ◽  
Gregorio Iglesias
Keyword(s):  
Wave Structure ◽  
Hybrid Wave ◽  
Structure Interaction ◽  
Wave Structure Interaction
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