Abstract
This paper explores a trade-off between structural longevity and energetic response for wave energy converters in irregular waves. To this end, a physics-based simulation methodology is developed which integrates both the hydrodynamic efficiency calculation and fatigue damage assessment. This methodology is embedded into a parameterised computational model by coupling analytical models for the simulation of both the pressure field and the hydrodynamic efficiency for a particular incident sea state, and a numerical model for the structural analysis of the system. The methodology is general but for this paper it is specialised for an idealised power-optimal bottom-fixed oscillating water column device. As particular case studies, a sea-state adaptive power-optimal configuration and a fixed power-optimal configuration were investigated and compared. The results reveal that the sea-state adaptive configuration not only provides the optimal hydrodynamic efficiency, but also leads to less accumulated fatigue damage.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 107260 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Ocean Engineering |
Volume | 206 |
Early online date | 14 Apr 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 Jun 2020 |
Keywords
- fatigue damage
- hydrodynamic efficiency
- irregular waves
- oscillating water column
- power-optimal configuration