Experimental Investigation of a Hybrid Device Combining a Wave Energy Converter and a Floating Breakwater in a Wave Flume Equipped with a Controllable Actuator

Luca Martinelli (), Giulio Capovilla, Matteo Volpato, Piero Ruol, Chiara Favaretto, Eva Loukogeorgaki and Mauro Andriollo
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Luca Martinelli: Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (ICEA) Department, University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy
Giulio Capovilla: Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (ICEA) Department, University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy
Matteo Volpato: Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (ICEA) Department, University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy
Piero Ruol: Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (ICEA) Department, University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy
Chiara Favaretto: Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (ICEA) Department, University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy
Eva Loukogeorgaki: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Mauro Andriollo: Department of Industrial Engineering (DEI), University of Padova, Via Venezia, 1, 35131 Padova, Italy

Energies, 2023, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: This paper presents a hydrodynamic investigation carried out on the “Wave Attenuator” device, which is a new type of floating breakwater anchored with piles and equipped with a linear Power Take Off (PTO) mechanism, which is typical for wave energy converters. The device is tested in the wave flume, under regular waves, in slightly non-linear conditions. The PTO mechanism, that restrains one of the two degrees of freedom, is simulated through an actuator and a programmable logic controller with preassigned strategy. The paper presents the system identification procedure followed in the laboratory, supported by a numerical investigation essential to set up a credible control strategy aiming at maximizing the wave energy harvesting. The maximum power conversion efficiency under the optimal PTO control strategy is found: it is of order 50–70% when the incident wave frequency is lower than the resonance one, and only of order 20% for higher frequencies. This type of experimental investigation is essential to evaluate the actual efficiency limitations imposed by device geometry.

Keywords: floating body hydrodynamics; hybrid wave energy converter; power take-off (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: 2023
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