Maximum wave-power absorption under motion constraints associated with both controlled and uncontrolled degrees of freedom

Abstract

A semi-analytical method is derived, which enables optimisation of the power absorption of a collection of wave-interacting bodies, subject to a weighted global motion constraint associated with both the controlled and uncontrolled modes of motion. As an illustrative example, the method is then applied to a six degree of freedom solo duck with various modes of motion under direct control. This is in order to highlight the benefits of employing the extended constraint and to explore the dependence of the existence of a solution on the physical properties of the system. The method is also used to investigate the effects of conceding control of certain degrees of freedom on the capture width ratio of the solo duck.

Numerical simulation of a full spine of Edinburgh Duck modules in uni- and multi-directional irregular wave climates, with a view to design optimisation

“…Though the duck design used in this study is the same as that used in [4] and [15], for completeness it is worth detailing its geometry and mass distribution here. The design was originally based on the D0018 Medium Beak Duck from [16], which was itself intended as a member of a full spine of ducks.…”

On the scalability of wave energy converters

“…Numbers of studies have evaluated the theoretical CWmax under motion constraints which are not further discussed here. For detailed information, see Evans (1981), Pizer (1993), Stansell and Pizer (2013), Wu et al (2017), Cotten and Forehand (2020).…”