Experimental Investigation of the Capture Performance Model for a Novel Omnidirectional Wave Energy Converter

Wensheng Wang, Jingfeng Liu, Zhenpeng Wang, Zhaoji Lin, Guoyu Zhang and Yaqun Zhang ()
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Wensheng Wang: College of Energy Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Jingfeng Liu: College of Energy Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Zhenpeng Wang: College of Energy Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Zhaoji Lin: College of Energy Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Guoyu Zhang: College of Energy Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Yaqun Zhang: College of Energy Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-13

Abstract: The performance of wave energy converters (WECs) in terms of energy capture presents considerable challenges in enhancing conversion efficiency. This research proposes a structural design and operational principle for an omnidirectional oscillating buoy WEC (OOBWEC), featuring six absorbers arranged in a circular configuration. To validate the proposed design and operational principle, experimental investigations were conducted within a wave flume. The experimental findings indicate that the capture width ratio (CWR) peaked at approximately 68.15% when the incident wave period was 1.8 s and the wave height was 80 mm. It was observed that as the wave period increased, the CWR initially rose before gradually declining. Conversely, an increase in wave height corresponded with a gradual decrease in the CWR. Notably, due to the angle of the incoming waves, the power captured by the forward absorber significantly exceeded that of the other absorbers. These results provide a basis for future numerical simulations, and further experimental studies will be conducted to optimize the WEC’s structure and improve its energy conversion efficiency.

Keywords: wave energy; wave energy converter (WEC); oscillating buoy (OB); absorber; capture width ratio (CWR) (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: 2025
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