A comparison of the performance and characteristics of two generations Waves4Power WaveEL wave energy converters
Paper in proceeding, 2022

The WaveEL™ wave energy converter (WEC) is a wave energy point absorber developed by Waves4Power AB. The newest generation, WaveEL 4.0, was recently proposed. With respect to the former 3.0 generation, the major updates are the length of the water tube beneath the buoy and the shape of the buoy. These geometric updates change the centre of gravity and the total weight of the WEC, affecting the hydrodynamic performance of the WEC and the mechanical life of the moorings. In this paper, the DNV Sesam software package was used to simulate and analyse the two WEC generations under regular and irregular seastate conditions. A performance analysis was conducted in terms of buoy heave motion resonances for maximizing energy harvesting, mooring line axial forces, and hydrodynamic power production. The pros and cons of WaveEL 4.0 compared to 3.0 are discussed. Compared to WaveEL 3.0, WaveEL 4.0 absorbs more hydrodynamic energy due to larger heave motions and more efficient power production. Its motions in the horizontal plane are larger, which may require a larger distance between the WEC units in a wave park to avoid losing efficiency due to hydrodynamic interaction effects.

point absorber

performance analysis

interaction effects

hydrodynamic analyses

Wave energy

Author

Xinyuan Shao

Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2), Marine Technology

Huadong Yao

Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2), Fluid Dynamics

Jonas Ringsberg

Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2), Marine Technology

Zhiyuan Li

Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2), Marine Technology

Erland Johnson

Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2), Marine Technology

RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

Göran Fredrikson

Waves4Power AB

Proceedings of The 5th International Conference on Renewable Energies Offshore (RENEW 2022)

277-284
978-1-032-42003-5 (ISBN)

The 5th International Conference on Renewable Energies Offshore (RENEW 2022)
Lisbon, Portugal,

Control of wave energy converters based on wave measurements, for optimal energy absorption (WAVEMEASURE)

Swedish Energy Agency (50197-1), 2020-09-01 -- 2023-03-31.

Strategic research project on Chalmers on hydro- and aerodynamics

The Chalmers University Foundation, 2019-01-01 -- 2023-12-31.

INTERACT - The interaction of metals and biocides with the selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Formas (2012-8), 2013-01-01 -- 2017-12-31.

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Innovation and entrepreneurship

Areas of Advance

Energy

Roots

Basic sciences

Subject Categories

Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics

Marine Engineering

DOI

10.1201/9781003360773-32

More information

Latest update

10/25/2023