Found 2 results
Open Access
Article
29 May 2025Hydrodynamic Performance and Energy Capture Characteristics of a Floating Inner Rotor Wave Energy Device
The development of efficient wave energy converters (WECs) is essential for harnessing marine renewable energy, particularly in regions with low wave energy flux. This study investigates a floating WEC with an internal eccentric rotor designed to enhance energy capture efficiency. The device consists of a floating body for wave energy absorption, an internal rotor for mechanical-to-hydraulic energy conversion, and a mooring system for stability. A numerical model was developed and validated against wave tank experiments, showing good agreement in peak values and amplitudes. Frequency-domain analysis examined the effects of structural parameters, draft, and center of gravity offset on hydrodynamic characteristics, while time-domain analysis evaluated the impact of rotor mass and power take-off (PTO) damping on energy capture. Multi-parameter optimization led to an improved structural design, increasing instantaneous power output by 150% and total power output by 108%. These findings provide a basis for further optimization of WECs in low-energy wave environments.
Open Access
Article
27 September 2024Numerical Investigation of a Point Absorber Wave Energy Converter Integrated with Vertical Wall and Latching Control for Enhanced Power Extraction
This study presents a numerical investigation of a point absorber wave energy converter (WEC) with a focus on improving its performance through the utilization of a vertical wall and latching control in the power take-off (PTO) system. Prior to numerical evaluations, experimental data incorporating PTO considerations and numerical simulation results were examined to validate the accuracy of the numerical methodology employed in this research. This study introduces a numerical PTO model and latching control for a further investigation. Comparative analyses were carried out on the displacement, velocity, and force of the PTO, absorbed power, and capture width ratio (CWR), considering the incorporation of a vertical wall and latching control. The results confirm that the introduction of both vertical wall and latching control significantly improves the CWR of the WEC, showing the effectiveness of incorporating a vertical wall and latching control in enhancing power extraction.
