Influence of platform design and power take-off characteristics on the performance of the E-Motions wave energy converter

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021-09-15

Authors

Daniel Clemente (Author) Other; Paulo Rosa Santos (Author) FEUP; Francisco Taveira Pinto (Author) FEUP; Paulo Martins (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Energy Conversion and Management

Vol. 244 No. 114481

Pages: 1-15

ISSN: 0196-8904

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Technological sciences

FOS: Engineering and technology

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00V-BSK

DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2021.114481

Abstract (EN): E-Motions wave energy converter is a promising device capable of harnessing energy from wave/wind induced roll oscillations onto a generic floating platform, whose development was initiated with an experimental proof of-concept study that, despite demonstrating the potentialities of the device, also highlighted the need for further developments, aimed at improving its performance and efficiency. This justified a new phase of numerical modelling, where E-Motions was reproduced within the ANSYS (R) AQWATM environment, a potential theory based numerical model widely used in the field of wave energy converter development. The model was setup (first stage) and calibrated (second stage) with experimental data from a proof-of-concept study, carried out on a 1:40 geometric scale, with a good agreement being obtained for the hydrostatic properties (difference below 5%) and hydrodynamic roll response (minimum average error of 2.83 degrees). From a follow-up third stage, focused on comparing eight different hull solutions with similar natural roll periods, it was determined that the half-sphere and trapezoidal prism geometries produced the highest power outputs for the studied conditions (maximum average outputs of nearly 5 kW/m and 8 kW/m, respectively). These two designs were then adapted to a 1:20 geometric scale alongside an updated version of the half-cylinder, which served as a "control" case, and subjected to a final stage of numerical modelling centered on assessing the Power Take-Off's influence (namely through variable damping and mass) in their performance. Outcomes from this stage denote the necessity of a careful selection of Power Take-Off mass/damping combinations, as a disproportionate relationship could lead to scenarios where the conversion system would stall on one of the superstructure's sides, moving within a very limited range of the available sliding amplitude. Maximum average power output values reach nearly 24 kW, 30 kW and 18 kW for the half-cylinder, half-sphere and trapezoidal prism, respectively, with a follow-up experimental study being planned for the near future, in order to evaluate the validity of these results.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 15