Performance analysis of two generations of heaving point absorber WECs in farms of hexagon-shaped array layouts
Paper in proceeding, 2022

Wave energy has attracted increasing attention due to the transition to electricity generation of renewable energy sources. To achieve cost-efficient solutions for the commercial market of electricity generation, wave energy converters (WECs) must be deployed in wave energy farms. The array layout needs to be carefully designed, specifically for each WEC technology, since hydrodynamic interaction effects (absorption, radiation, and diffraction of waves) between the WECs affect the performance of each WEC and, therefore, the electricity generation of the entire wave energy park. This study presents a numerical methodology that can realistically simulate wave energy farms with floating wave energy point absorbers installed in arrays. The numerical models, developed in the DNV software package SESAM, can simulate and compare various environmental conditions and design changes for a WEC, regarding the overall performance and characteristics of single WECs and the entire wave energy park. The methodology is applied to case studies for two generations of the WEC WaveEL developed by Waves4Power. Two farm designs with hexagon array layouts deploying six WEC units are proposed. Parametric studies are presented to analyze, e.g., the hydrodynamic power performance and the levelized cost of electricity (LCoE), where the two WaveEL generations, the dimensions of hexagon-shaped array layouts, environment conditions, and the wave encounter direction are varied and compared. The hexagon layouts are also compared with a previous layout, StarBuoy, with 10 units. The study verifies the conclusion from similar studies that interaction effects can have both positive and negative influences on the LCoE. It provides recommendations for hexagon-shaped array layouts that lower the LCoE due to hydrodynamic interaction effects.

array layout

hexagon-shaped

wave energy

WEC

LCoE

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

Proceedings of The 7th International Conference on Ships and Offshore Structures (ICSOS 2022)

183-195 ICSOS2022-12

The 7th International Conference on Ships and Offshore Structures (ICSOS 2022)
Ålesund, Norway,

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

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

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.

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Energy Engineering

Energy Systems

Marine Engineering

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10/25/2023