Benites Muñoz, Daniela Andrea;
(2022)
Numerical modelling of oscillating wave surge converters operating in array configurations.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
Ocean wave energy is becoming one of the most recognised renewable energy technologies due to its ability to deliver high-magnitude power. However, it has not yet achieved a stable position in the industry. Thus, research on these technologies is constantly growing to exploit wave energy efficiently. One step towards this goal is to deploy wave farms of single wave energy conversion systems, which brings additional hydrodynamic challenges decisive for its constructive operation. The Oscillating Wave Surge Converter (OWSC) is one of the most efficient technologies in operation due to its hydrodynamic behaviour and energy absorption capabilities. Models of OWSC arrays have been evaluated in the past using semi-analytical approaches resulting in little agreement on the most suitable layout. However, a comprehensive model to identify array configurations with constructive interaction on the most common operating sea states was not available. Moreover, a computational model accounting for nonlinear effects, including the influence of the Power Take-Off (PTO) and neighbouring devices, had not yet been developed. This study investigates the effects of sitting OWSCs in arrays through computational simulations, focusing on a comprehensive framework to calculate the power captured by three-OWSC arrangements with varying spacings and layouts. For this purpose, the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach using overset mesh accounting for the large and independent motion of the devices is employed. Furthermore, the conditions covering the PTO representation using a reactive control strategy and the operational sea envelope are included in the model. The simulations carried out during this study successfully identified a set of spacings and layouts in which the arrays operate constructively. Within the key outcomes is that staggered arrangements perform more efficiently than in-line ones, increasing the power extracted by 30%. Furthermore, it is found that this is achieved through a strong interaction between the devices and the wave effects resulting from the energy extraction process.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | Numerical modelling of oscillating wave surge converters operating in array configurations |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2022. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Mechanical Engineering UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10156208 |
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