A novel wave-energy device with enhanced wave amplification and induction actuator

Bokhove, Onno; Kalogirou, Anna; Henry, David; Thomas, Gareth P.

Abstract

© 2020, European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference. All rights reserved. A novel wave-energy device is presented. Both a preliminary proof-of-principle of a working, scaled laboratory version of the energy device is shown as well as the derivation and analysis of a comprehensive mathematical and numerical model of the new device. The wave-energy device includes a convergence in which the waves are amplified, a constrained wave buoy with a (curved) mast and direct energy conversion of the buoy motion into electrical power via an electro-magnetic generator. The device is designed for use in breakwaters and it is possible to be taken out of action during severe weather. The new design is a deconstruction of elements of existing waveenergy devices, such as the TapChan, IP wave-buoy and the Berkeley Wedge, put together in a different manner to enhance energy conversion and, hence, efficiency. The idea of wave-focusing in a contraction emerged from our work on creating and simulating rogue waves in crossing seas, including a “bore-soliton-splash”. Such crossing seas have been recreated and modelled in the laboratory and in simulations by using a geometric channel convergence. The mathematical and numerical modelling is also novel. One monolithic variational principle governs the dynamics including the combined (potential-flow) hydrodynamics, the buoy motion and the power generation, to which the dissipative elements such as the electrical resistance of the circuits, coils and loads have been added a posteriori. The numerical model is a direct and consistent discretisation of this comprehensive variational principle. Preliminary numerical calculations are shown for the case of linearised dynamics; optimisation of efficiency is a target of future work.

Citation

Bokhove, O., Kalogirou, A., Henry, D., & Thomas, G. P. (2020). A novel wave-energy device with enhanced wave amplification and induction actuator. International Marine Energy Journal, 3(1), 37-44. https://doi.org/10.36688/imej.3.37-44

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 27, 2020
• Online Publication Date: May 14, 2020
• Publication Date: May 14, 2020
• Deposit Date: May 27, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: May 27, 2020
• Journal: International Marine Energy Journal
• Print ISSN: 2631-5548
• Electronic ISSN: 2631-5548
• Publisher: Sustainable Energy Research Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 37-44
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.36688/imej.3.37-44
• Keywords: water-wave focussing, wave-energy buoy, electro-magnetic generator, monolithic variational principle, finite-element modelling
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4517352
• Publisher URL: https://marineenergyjournal.org/imej/article/view/47