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A second order random wave model for predicting the power performances of a wave energy converter

Abstract

The  power  performances  of  a  point  absorber  wave  energy  converter  (WEC)  operating  in  a  nonlinear  multidirectional  random  sea  are  rigorously  investigated.  The  absorbed  power  of  the  WEC  Power-Take-Off  system  has been predicted  by  incorporating  a  second  order  random  wave  model  into  a  nonlinear  dynamic  filter.  This  is  a  new approach,  and,  as  the  second  order  random  wave  model  can  be  utilized  to  accurately  simulate  the  nonlinear waves  in  an  irregular  sea,  avoids  the  inaccuracies  resulting  from  using  a  first  order  linear  wave  model  in  the simulation  process.  The  predicted  results  have  been  systematically  analyzed  and  compared,  and  the  advantages of using this new approach have been convincingly substantiated.