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Wave energy converter physical model design and testing: The case of floating oscillating-water-columns

Author

Listed:
  • Portillo, J.C.C.
  • Collins, K.M.
  • Gomes, R.P.F.
  • Henriques, J.C.C.
  • Gato, L.M.C.
  • Howey, B.D.
  • Hann, M.R.
  • Greaves, D.M.
  • Falcão, A.F.O.

Abstract

The quest for exploiting the ocean resources and understanding its behaviour has been a challenge with increasing needs for innovation and technology. Model testing is an essential step in offshore renewable energy technology development. It involves challenges that require experience and guidance. Costly mistakes might arise with the subsequent waste of time and resources. This paper presents the model design and testing processes as part of wave energy projects and the results of experimental testing of two types of oscillating-water-column (OWC) wave energy converters (WEC). The model design aims at the creation of a reduced-scale model to simulate the physical phenomena found in full-scale devices. It is a process that requires several skills and an adequate compromise among all variables. This design involves several approaches as different physical phenomena do not follow the same similarity conditions, requiring adjustments in scale, materials, and other relevant properties. Besides, the model testing process comprises the necessary planning and actions to execute the tests and post-processing of data. This process is addressed here through model design and testing of two WECs: the coaxial-duct and the spar-buoy OWCs. The configurations have been designed and studied for large-scale energy production and small-scale power in oceanographic applications. Although the devices are both OWCs, the designs exhibit significant differences. The development process of the models and results are presented for the two OWC devices. Free-decay tests, hydrodynamic performance and mooring tension results are presented and discussed. These may serve as guidelines and numerical modelling validation.

Suggested Citation

  • Portillo, J.C.C. & Collins, K.M. & Gomes, R.P.F. & Henriques, J.C.C. & Gato, L.M.C. & Howey, B.D. & Hann, M.R. & Greaves, D.M. & Falcão, A.F.O., 2020. "Wave energy converter physical model design and testing: The case of floating oscillating-water-columns," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:278:y:2020:i:c:s0306261920311375
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115638
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Zhang, Jincheng & Zhao, Xiaowei & Jin, Siya & Greaves, Deborah, 2022. "Phase-resolved real-time ocean wave prediction with quantified uncertainty based on variational Bayesian machine learning," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
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    5. Gomes, Rui P.F. & Gato, Luís M.C. & Henriques, João C.C. & Portillo, Juan C.C. & Howey, Ben D. & Collins, Keri M. & Hann, Martyn R. & Greaves, Deborah M., 2020. "Compact floating wave energy converters arrays: Mooring loads and survivability through scale physical modelling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    6. Zhang, Jincheng & Zhao, Xiaowei & Greaves, Deborah & Jin, Siya, 2023. "Modeling of a hinged-raft wave energy converter via deep operator learning and wave tank experiments," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 341(C).
    7. Portillo, J.C.C. & Gato, L.M.C. & Henriques, J.C.C. & Falcão, A.F.O., 2023. "Implications of spring-like air compressibility effects in floating coaxial-duct OWCs: Experimental and numerical investigation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 478-491.
    8. Carrelhas, A.A.D. & Gato, L.M.C. & Henriques, J.C.C., 2023. "Peak shaving control in OWC wave energy converters: From concept to implementation in the Mutriku wave power plant," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    9. Giannini, Gianmaria & Rosa-Santos, Paulo & Ramos, Victor & Taveira-Pinto, Francisco, 2022. "Wave energy converters design combining hydrodynamic performance and structural assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 249(C).
    10. Morais, F.J.F. & Carrelhas, A.A.D. & Gato, L.M.C., 2023. "Biplane-rotor Wells turbine: The influence of solidity, presence of guide vanes and comparison with other configurations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    11. Portillo, J.C.C. & Henriques, J.C.C. & Gato, L.M.C. & Falcão, A.F.O., 2023. "Model tests on a floating coaxial-duct OWC wave energy converter with focus on the spring-like air compressibility effect," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PA).
    12. Mi, Jia & Wu, Xian & Capper, Joseph & Li, Xiaofan & Shalaby, Ahmed & Wang, Ruoyu & Lin, Shihong & Hajj, Muhammad & Zuo, Lei, 2023. "Experimental investigation of a reverse osmosis desalination system directly powered by wave energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 343(C).

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