Experimental Capture Width Ratio on Unit Module System of Hybrid Wave Energy Converter for Nearshore

Abstract

This study proposes a new hybrid wave energy converter composed of a horizontal cylinder and a swing plate to improve the capture width ratio. The horizontal cylinder generates electrical energy by using the potential energy of the incident wave, whereas the swing plate produces electrical energy by using the kinetic energy of the water particles. The converter can improve the capture width ratio of the wave energy by efficiently combining the energies generated by these two different sources. The power-generating performance of the proposed hybrid wave energy converter is evaluated experimentally through a hydraulic model test at a scale ratio of 0.3 in a two-dimensional wave tank using direct conversion by a dynamo PTO (Power Take-Off) system. The dynamic power-generation characteristics of the hybrid wave energy converter are analyzed with respect to the eventual regularity of the incident wave (regular and irregular wave conditions), and the data necessary for the design of the generator and control system are acquired.