Experimental study on hydrodynamic performance of a wave energy converter within multi-heaving-buoys

Abstract

Summary A compact buoy‐array‐type wave energy converter called multi‐heaving‐buoys (MHB) is introduced in this study. The hydrodynamic performance of MHB under regular wave conditions was first investigated experimentally in a wave tank located in Ocean University of China. It was found that a limited number of heaving buoys had little effect on the wave fields around the device. The small period of the incident waves caused an intense interaction between the waves and the buoys. The phase difference between the buoys in different rows was determined by the distance between the buoys. It was found that the response amplitude operator of the buoys varied from 0.6 to 1.2. Correspondingly, the range of the averaged relative velocity of the heaving buoys was 0.6–1.3. The upper limit of the acceleration of the buoys' motion was 0.2 times that of gravity. All of the experimental results provide valuable information for the future design of the hydraulic pressure power take‐off systems. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A review of marine renewable energy storage

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“…[57][58][59] For an oscillating body wave energy converter, excited by the oscillating waves, the buoys oscillate up and down or swing from side to side, thereby driving the hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, motors, generators, etc, to generate power. [60][61][62] Generally, the wave energy transfers to the hydraulic cylinder and the pressure energy of the fluid increases, thereby driving the motor and generator to output electricity. Generally, the gas accumulators are used to store energy temporarily and to smooth the electricity production.…”

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“…At present, several WECs have been developed and tested 4 ; however, no installation has obtained a massive commercial success 5 …”

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