Improving the performance of the floating point-absorber array wave energy converter via a fully coupled time domain wave-to-wire model

Journal Article

Title: Improving the performance of the floating point-absorber array wave energy converter via a fully coupled time domain wave-to-wire model

Author:

Yi, Y.; Sun, K.; Liu, Y.; Zhang, J.; Ji, R.; Reabroy, R.

Publication Date:

March 1, 2025

Journal:

Energy Conversion and Management

Volume:

327

Pages:

119552

Publisher:

Elsevier

Affiliation:

North China Electric Power University, Harbin Engineering University, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Kasetsart University

Technology:

Wave, Point Absorber

Collection Method:

Modeling

Engineering:

Performance

Signature Project:

Reference Model, RM3: Wave Point Absorber, WEC-Sim

Document Access

Website:

External Link

Citation

Yi, Y.; Sun, K.; Liu, Y.; Zhang, J.; Ji, R.; Reabroy, R. (2025). Improving the performance of the floating point-absorber array wave energy converter via a fully coupled time domain wave-to-wire model. Energy Conversion and Management, 327, 119552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2025.119552

@article{Yi-2025-22979,
author = {Yi, Y and Sun, K and Liu, Y and Zhang, J and Ji, R and Reabroy, R},
title = {Improving the performance of the floating point-absorber array wave energy converter via a fully coupled time domain wave-to-wire model},
journal = {Energy Conversion and Management},
year = {2025},
month = {mar},
publisher = {Elsevier},
volume = {327},
pages = {119552},
doi = {10.1016/j.enconman.2025.119552},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196890425000755},
keywords = {Wave, Point Absorber, Modeling, Performance},
}

Export Citation to BibTex

TY - JOUR
TI - Improving the performance of the floating point-absorber array wave energy converter via a fully coupled time domain wave-to-wire model
AU - Yi, Y
AU - Sun, K
AU - Liu, Y
AU - Zhang, J
AU - Ji, R
AU - Reabroy, R
T2 - Energy Conversion and Management
AB - The deep sea contains substantial wave energy resources that, when harnessed through floating wave energy converters (WECs), can provide abundant renewable energy for society. However, the interactions among multiple absorbers and the coupling effects between WECs, hydraulic systems, and permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) are not yet fully understood. This study aims to optimize the design and analyze the coupling effects of a floating point-absorber array wave energy converter (PA-array WEC) through a novel time-domain fully-coupled wave-to-wire (W2W) model, capturing the entire process of converting wave energy into electrical power. Potential flow theory and Cummins equations are utilized to investigate the coupled responses of the floating platform and multiple absorbers. Moreover, the pressure and flow rate within the pipelines and the power output of the PMSM are analyzed through solving fluid dynamic equations alongside the synchronous machine model. The accuracy of the W2W model was confirmed through validation against publicly available numerical and experimental results. Based on this numerical model, a parametric study of an isolated point absorber (PA) reveals that piston diameter, hydraulic motor displacement, magnetic flux linkage, and pole pairs notably impact power output. Subsequently, these parameters were optimized for the PA-array WEC, and factors such as platform motion response, mooring line tension, and q-factor were scrutinized. Furthermore, the impact of the circuit system load and wave directions on performance was also explored to offer insights into the coupling characteristics of the PA-array WEC. The results show this innovative W2W model accurately predicts the coupled dynamics of the floating WEC, hydraulic system characteristics, and PMSM power performance. Following optimization, the efficiency of the floating PA-array WEC reaches 62.86 %. Active control of motor displacement improves the high-frequency power outputs of the WEC, resulting in an efficiency of up to 55.1 % at a frequency of 1.5 rad/s. However, this enhancement is accompanied by rising tension and motion amplitudes. These findings offer valuable guidance for the design of floating WECs.
DA - 2025/03//
PY - 2025
PB - Elsevier
VL - 327
SP - 119552
UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196890425000755
DO - 10.1016/j.enconman.2025.119552
LA - English
KW - Wave
KW - Point Absorber
KW - Modeling
KW - Performance
ER -

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Abstract

The deep sea contains substantial wave energy resources that, when harnessed through floating wave energy converters (WECs), can provide abundant renewable energy for society. However, the interactions among multiple absorbers and the coupling effects between WECs, hydraulic systems, and permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) are not yet fully understood. This study aims to optimize the design and analyze the coupling effects of a floating point-absorber array wave energy converter (PA-array WEC) through a novel time-domain fully-coupled wave-to-wire (W2W) model, capturing the entire process of converting wave energy into electrical power. Potential flow theory and Cummins equations are utilized to investigate the coupled responses of the floating platform and multiple absorbers. Moreover, the pressure and flow rate within the pipelines and the power output of the PMSM are analyzed through solving fluid dynamic equations alongside the synchronous machine model. The accuracy of the W2W model was confirmed through validation against publicly available numerical and experimental results. Based on this numerical model, a parametric study of an isolated point absorber (PA) reveals that piston diameter, hydraulic motor displacement, magnetic flux linkage, and pole pairs notably impact power output. Subsequently, these parameters were optimized for the PA-array WEC, and factors such as platform motion response, mooring line tension, and q-factor were scrutinized. Furthermore, the impact of the circuit system load and wave directions on performance was also explored to offer insights into the coupling characteristics of the PA-array WEC. The results show this innovative W2W model accurately predicts the coupled dynamics of the floating WEC, hydraulic system characteristics, and PMSM power performance. Following optimization, the efficiency of the floating PA-array WEC reaches 62.86 %. Active control of motor displacement improves the high-frequency power outputs of the WEC, resulting in an efficiency of up to 55.1 % at a frequency of 1.5 rad/s. However, this enhancement is accompanied by rising tension and motion amplitudes. These findings offer valuable guidance for the design of floating WECs.