Exclusive: Ocean Energy Development

Experimental study of an array of oscillating buoy wave energy converters in wave tank

  • HE Zechen ,
  • ZHANG Chongwei ,
  • NING Dezhi ,
  • ZHAO Junyu ,
  • HE Dong ,
  • YANG Haishi
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  • 1. State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China;
    2. Offshore Renewable Energy Research Center, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China;
    3. Chongqing gear box Co., Ltd., Chongqing 402263, China

Received date: 2020-10-10

  Revised date: 2020-12-21

  Online published: 2021-05-14

Abstract

When an array of oscillating buoy wave energy converters is deployed in front of the breakwater, there will be complex hydrodynamic interactions between the buoy absorbers of each converter. This interaction can affect the buoys' motion and the corresponding power generation properties. In this paper, physical experiments are carried out in the wave tank to investigate the hydrodynamic characteristics of an array of oscillating buoy wave energy converters in front of the breakwater. The effects of the buoys' dimension and spacing on the motion and the power generation of each device are analyzed under different wave conditions. It is found that the wave energy converter with a smaller buoy has a higher power generation capability in the considered cases. A smaller spacing arrangement may not lead to a larger power. The incident wave height has a significant effect on the power generation.

Cite this article

HE Zechen , ZHANG Chongwei , NING Dezhi , ZHAO Junyu , HE Dong , YANG Haishi . Experimental study of an array of oscillating buoy wave energy converters in wave tank[J]. Science & Technology Review, 2021 , 39(6) : 47 -52 . DOI: 10.3981/j.issn.1000-7857.2021.06.006

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