Hydrodynamic performance analysis of a multi-body wave energy conversion device

ObjectivesThe utilization of wave energy can help alleviate the global energy crisis and environmental problems. Combining wave energy converter (WEC) with floating breakwaters is an effective way to reduce costs and achieve complementary functions. The control and optimization of the power output system is carried out for a multi-body WEC with wave protection effects. MethodsTo study the interaction of the multi-body WEC with waves, a numerical wave flume is constructed using the OpenFOAM program. The experiments simulate the interaction between the converter and waves under different PTO strategies, namely linear, constant, linear spring, velocity-squared, and snap through PTO systems. The energy capture efficiency and wave dissipation performance of the wave energy converter under these PTO systems are compared. ResultsThe results show that the wave energy capture efficiency of the multi-body WEC can reach up to 52.6%. Linear spring and snap through PTO systems, which are based on the optimization of linear PTO, have a certain degree of influence on the WEC and wave dissipation effect of the wave energy device. Linear PTO is more advantageous than linear spring and snap through ones when considering both wave energy capture and wave dissipation effects. Conclusions The study identifies the advantageous wave intervals of PTO systems such as constant damping and velocity-squared damping, which can serve as a reference for optimizing PTO system settings for multi-floating bodies.