Comparison and Validation of Hydrodynamic Theories for Wave Energy Converter Modelling

Matthew Leary, Curtis Rusch, Zhe Zhang and Bryson Robertson
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Matthew Leary: College of Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
Curtis Rusch: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Zhe Zhang: C-Power, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
Bryson Robertson: College of Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 13, 1-18

Abstract: Dynamic Wave Energy Converter (WEC) models utilize a wide variety of fundamental hydrodynamic theories. When incorporating novel hydrodynamic theories into numerical models, there are distinct impacts on WEC rigid body motions, cable dynamics, and final power production. This paper focuses on developing an understanding of the influence several refined hydrodynamic theories have on WEC dynamics, including weakly nonlinear Froude-Krylov and hydrostatic forces, body-to-body interactions, and dynamic cable modelling. All theories have evolved from simpler approaches and are of importance to a wide array of WEC archetypes. This study quantifies the impact these theories have on modelling accuracy through a WEC case study. Theoretical differences are first explored in a regular sea state. Subsequently, numerical validation efforts are performed against field data following wave reconstruction techniques. Comparisons of significance are WEC motion and cable tension. It is shown that weakly nonlinear Froude-Krylov and hydrostatic force calculations and dynamic cable modelling both significantly improve simulated WEC dynamics. However, body-to-body interactions are not found to impact simulated WEC dynamics.

Keywords: wave energy converter; hydrodynamic theory; multibody dynamics; weakly nonlinear Froude-Krylov and hydrostatic; body-to-body interactions; dynamic cable modelling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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