Experimental Validation of a Wave Energy Converter Array Hydrodynamics Tool

Pau Mercadé Ruiz, Francesco Ferri and Jens Peter Kofoed
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Pau Mercadé Ruiz: Department of Civil Engineering, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, Aalborg 9220, Denmark
Francesco Ferri: Department of Civil Engineering, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, Aalborg 9220, Denmark
Jens Peter Kofoed: Department of Civil Engineering, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, Aalborg 9220, Denmark

Sustainability, 2017, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-20

Abstract: This paper uses experimental data to validate a wave energy converter (WEC) array hydrodynamics tool developed within the context of linearized potential flow theory. To this end, wave forces and power absorption by an array of five-point absorber WECs in monochromatic and panchromatic waves were measured from a set of deep-water wave basin experimental tests. Unlike the few other examples of WEC array experimental campaigns, the power take-off (PTO) system of each WEC was simulated by means of advanced equipment capable of accurately reproducing linear control strategies and, thereby, reducing the uncertainty in the physical model. Experimental measurements are then compared with numerical predictions showing reasonable agreement; the measured trends are, in the same way, well captured by the numerical predictions. Further analysis demonstrates that the developed tool can predict, on the safe side, wave forces and power absorption with less than 17.5% and 23.0% error, respectively, for more than 68% of the predictions.

Keywords: wave energy converter arrays; hydrodynamics modelling; linearized potential flow; experimental validation; point absorbers; uncertainties; DTOcean (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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