Wave Energy Converter’s Slack and Stiff Connection: Study of Absorbed Power in Irregular Waves

Abstract

Two different concepts of wave energy converter coupled to the novel C-GEN linear generator have been studied numerically, including the evaluation of different buoy sizes. The first concept has a slack connection between the buoy and the generator on the seabed. Another concept is based on a stiff connection between the buoy and the generator placed on an offshore platform. Three different approaches to calculate the damping force have been utilized within this study: the optimal damping coefficient, R-load, and RC-load. R-load is a model for the load applied to a grid-connected generator with passive rectification. RC-load is a model for a phase angle compensation applied to a system with active rectification. The radiation forces originating from the oscillatory motion of the buoy have been approximated using the transfer function in the frequency domain and the vector fitting algorithm. A comparison of the approximation methods is presented, and their accuracy has been evaluated. The advantage of the vector fitting method has been shown, especially for higher approximation orders which fit the transfer function with high accuracy. The study’s final results are shown in terms of the absorbed power for the sea states of March 2018 at Wave Hub, UK.