Structural Loads Analysis for Wave Energy Converters: Preprint

Structural Loads Analysis for Wave Energy Converters: Preprint
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2017
Genre:
ISBN:

This study explores and verifies the generalized body-modes method for evaluating the structural loads on a wave energy converter (WEC). Historically, WEC design methodologies have focused primarily on accurately evaluating hydrodynamic loads, while methodologies for evaluating structural loads have yet to be fully considered and incorporated into the WEC design process. As wave energy technologies continue to advance, however, it has become increasingly evident that an accurate evaluation of the structural loads will enable an optimized structural design, as well as the potential utilization of composites and flexible materials, and hence reduce WEC costs. Although there are many computational fluid dynamics, structural analyses and fluid-structure-interaction (FSI) codes available, the application of these codes is typically too computationally intensive to be practical in the early stages of the WEC design process. The generalized body-modes method, however, is a reduced order, linearized, frequency-domain FSI approach, performed in conjunction with the linear hydrodynamic analysis, with computation times that could realistically be incorporated into the WEC design process. The objective of this study is to verify the generalized body-modes approach in comparison to high-fidelity FSI simulations to accurately predict structural deflections and stress loads in a WEC. Two verification cases are considered, a free-floating barge and a fixed-bottom column. Details for both the generalized body-modes models and FSI models are first provided. Results for each of the models are then compared and discussed. Finally, based on the verification results obtained, future plans for incorporating the generalized body-modes method into the WEC simulation tool, WEC-Sim, and the overall WEC design process are discussed.

Inclusion of Structural Flexibility in Design Load Analysis for Wave Energy Converters: Preprint

Inclusion of Structural Flexibility in Design Load Analysis for Wave Energy Converters: Preprint
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2017
Genre:
ISBN:

Hydroelastic interactions, caused by ocean wave loading on wave energy devices with deformable structures, are studied in the time domain. A midfidelity, hybrid modeling approach of rigid-body and flexible-body dynamics is developed and implemented in an open-source simulation tool for wave energy converters (WEC-Sim) to simulate the dynamic responses of wave energy converter component structural deformations under wave loading. A generalized coordinate system, including degrees of freedom associated with rigid bodies, structural modes, and constraints connecting multiple bodies, is utilized. A simplified method of calculating stress loads and sectional bending moments is implemented, with the purpose of sizing and designing wave energy converters. Results calculated using the method presented are verified with those of high-fidelity fluid-structure interaction simulations, as well as low-fidelity, frequency-domain, boundary element method analysis.

Preliminary Wave Energy Converters Extreme Load Analysis: Preprint

Preliminary Wave Energy Converters Extreme Load Analysis: Preprint
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2015
Genre:
ISBN:

The wave-induced loads that WECs experienced during both operational and survival sea states is one of the cost drivers for the WEC structure design. These extreme loads must be carefully examined during the device design process, and the development of specific extreme condition modeling method is essential. In this paper, we first review the key findings and recommendations from the extremethis paper, the key findings and recommendations from the extreme conditions modeling workshop hosted by Sandia National Laboratories and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are reviewed. Next, a study on the development and application of a modeling approach for predicting WEC extreme design load is described. The approach includes midfidelity Monte-Carlo-type time-domain simulations todetermine the sea state in which extreme loads occur. In addition, computational fluid dynamics simulations are employed to examine the nonlinear wave and floating-device-interaction-induced extreme loads. Finally, a discussion on the key areas that need further investigation to improve the extreme condition modeling methodology for WECs is presented.

Preprints

Preprints
Author: Gordon L. Dugger
Publisher:
Total Pages: 830
Release: 1979
Genre: Ocean energy resources
ISBN:

Extreme Load Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis and Verification for a Multibody Wave Energy Converter: Preprint

Extreme Load Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis and Verification for a Multibody Wave Energy Converter: Preprint
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2019
Genre:
ISBN:

A wave energy converter (WEC) must be designed to survive the extreme sea states that it will be subject to throughout its lifetime. Although there are many analysis methods and codes available to accomplish this, there are currently several engineering challenges to WEC survival design. Foremost, the computational design approach will typically involve a trade-off between accuracy and computational efficiency. Additionally, most computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes are not ideally suited to modeling extreme events for WECs with multibody dynamics, power-take-off systems, and mooring systems. Finally, although WEC design standards and CFD guidelines are emerging, with the current immaturity of the WEC industry, they are not yet well established. In this study, loads on a 1:35-scale, moored, multibody WEC are evaluated with CFD. The CFD results are compared with results obtained from a computationally efficient, midfidelity model based on linearized potential flow hydrodynamics. For these model verification comparisons, both operational and survival configurations are considered. The extreme load results obtained, using both codes, indicate that the survival configuration successfully sheds loads during extreme sea states. It is also found that WEC-Sim, when appropriately applied, can provide reasonable load results, at a fraction of the computational expense of CFD. However, for the more extreme sea states, and for higher-order effects not included in the WEC-Sim model, the linear-based results have significant errors in comparison to the CFD-based results, and should be used judiciously.

Development of the Second-Generation Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter with Variable Geometry: Preprint

Development of the Second-Generation Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter with Variable Geometry: Preprint
Author:
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Total Pages: 0
Release: 2017
Genre:
ISBN:

This study investigates the effect of design changes on the hydrodynamics of a novel oscillating surge wave energy converter being developed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The design utilizes controllable geometry features to shed structural loads while maintaining a rated power over a greater number of sea states. The second-generation design will seek to provide a more refined control of performance because the first-generation design demonstrated performance reductions considered too large for smooth power output. Performance is evaluated using frequency domain analysis with consideration of a nonideal power-take-off system, with respect to power absorption, foundation loads, and power-take-off torque.

Balancing Power Absorption and Structural Loading for an Assymmetric Heave Wave-Energy Converter in Regular Waves: Preprint

Balancing Power Absorption and Structural Loading for an Assymmetric Heave Wave-Energy Converter in Regular Waves: Preprint
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2016
Genre:
ISBN:

The aim of this paper is to maximize the power-to-load ratio of the Berkeley Wedge: a one-degree-of-freedom, asymmetrical, energy-capturing, floating breakwater of high performance that is relatively free of viscosity effects. Linear hydrodynamic theory was used to calculate bounds on the expected time-averaged power (TAP) and corresponding surge restraining force, pitch restraining torque, and power take-off (PTO) control force when assuming that the heave motion of the wave energy converter remains sinusoidal. This particular device was documented to be an almost-perfect absorber if one-degree-of-freedom motion is maintained. The success of such or similar future wave energy converter technologies would require the development of control strategies that can adapt device performance to maximize energy generation in operational conditions while mitigating hydrodynamic loads in extreme waves to reduce the structural mass and overall cost. This paper formulates the optimal control problem to incorporate metrics that provide a measure of the surge restraining force, pitch restraining torque, and PTO control force. The optimizer must now handle an objective function with competing terms in an attempt to maximize power capture while minimizing structural and actuator loads. A penalty weight is placed on the surge restraining force, pitch restraining torque, and PTO actuation force, thereby allowing the control focus to be placed either on power absorption or load mitigation. Thus, in achieving these goals, a per-unit gain in TAP would not lead to a greater per-unit demand in structural strength, hence yielding a favorable benefit-to-cost ratio. Demonstrative results in the form of TAP, reactive TAP, and the amplitudes of the surge restraining force, pitch restraining torque, and PTO control force are shown for the Berkeley Wedge example.