This paper presents a comprehensive review of boundary element methods for hydrodynamic modelling of wave energy systems. To design and optimise a wave energy converter (WEC), it is estimated that several million hours of WEC operation must be simulated. Linear boundary element methods are sufficiently fast to provide this volume of simulation and high speed of execution is one of the reasons why linear boundary element methods continue to underpin many, if not most, applied wave energy development efforts; however, the fidelity of the physics included is inadequate for some of the required design calculations. Judicious use of non-linear boundary element methods provides a route to increase the fidelity of the modeling while maintaining speed and other advantages over more computationally demanding alternatives such as Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) or smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH). The paper presents some background to each aspect of the boundary methods reviewed, building up a relatively complete theoretical framework. Both linear and nonlinear methods are covered, and consideration is given to the computational complexity of the methods reviewed. The paper aims to provide a review that is useful in selection of the most appropriate techniques for the next generation of WEC design tools. KeywordsWave energy converter design tools • Potential flow theory • Boundary element method • Zero forward speed problem • Wave energy converter B John V. Ringwood
To date, one of the difficulties with wave energy devices is modulating the power transfer from the waves to the generator. In wind turbines, this is achieved by turbine pitch control, leading to the ubiquitous flat power curve. Recently, a wave energy converter, having moveable vanes, has been developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the US. This paper described the development of a compact hydrodynamic model for the NREL device, based on multiple linear hydrodynamic modelling (Murray-Smith and Johansen, 1997), which can be used to model the hydrodynamic behaviour of the device across its full operational spectrum of vane angles. To show the utility of the model, we demonstrate a flat power curve for the WEC, using the vane angles as a control input.
The resourcecode Marine Data Toolbox is a python package developed within the Resource-CODE project, to facilitate the access to a recently developed Metocean hindcast database (Accensi et al., 2021), and to a set of state-of-the-art methods for data analysis. This toolbox provides developers with a set of standard functions for resource assessment and operations planning. The advanced statistical modelling tools provided together with the embedded high resolution wave hindcast database provide the developers with a set of standard functions for resource assessment, extreme values modelling and operations and maintenance planning. Suitable for users not familiar with netCDF files handling or statistical analysis development, it is however designed to fulfil expert metocean analysis requirements. The advanced statistical modelling tools provided allow the developers of Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) devices to conduct the necessary assessments to reduce uncertainty in expected environmental conditions, and de-risk investment in future technology design.
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