Computational modelling and experimental tank testing of the multi float WaveSub under regular wave forcing

RENEWABLE ENERGY

卷:152

Article

Faraggiana, E.¹  Whitlam, C.²  Chapman, J.²  Hillis, A.³  Roesner, J.³  Hann, M.⁴  Greaves, D.⁴  Yu, Y-H⁵  Ruehl, K.⁶  Masters, I¹  Foster, G.²  Stockman, G.² 

[1] Swansea Univ, Coll Engn, Zienkiewicz Ctr Computat Engn, Marine Energy Res Grp, Swansea, W Glam, Wales

[2] Marine Power Syst Ltd, Swansea, W Glam, Wales

[3] Univ Bath, Bath, Avon, England

[4] Univ Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, England

[5] Natl Renewable Energy Lab, Golden, CO USA

[6] Sandia Natl Labs, POB 5800, Albuquerque, NM 87185 USA

关键词: Renewable energy;    Wave energy;    Tank testing;    Wave potential theory;    Damping;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.renene.2019.12.146

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

A submerged wave device generates energy from the relative motion of floating bodies. In WaveSub, three floats are joined to a reactor; each connected to a spring and generator. Electricity generated damps the orbital movements of the floats. The forces are non-linear and each float interacts with the others. Tuning to the wave climate is achieved by changing the line lengths, so there is a need to understand the performance trade-offs for a large number of configurations. This requires an efficient, large displacement, multidirectional, multi-body numerical scheme. Results from a 1/25 scale wave basin experiment are described. Here, we show that a time domain linear potential flow formulation (Nemoh, WEC-Sim) can match the tank testing provided that suitably tuned drag coefficients are employed. Inviscid linear potential models can match some wave device experiments; however, additional viscous terms generally provide better accuracy. Scale experiments are also prone to mechanical friction, and we estimate friction terms to improve the correlation further. The resulting error in mean power between numerical and physical models is approximately 10%. Predicted device movement shows a good match. Overall, drag terms in time domain wave energy modelling will improve simulation accuracy in wave renewable energy device design. (c) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

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