Heave Motion Performance of Multiple Wave Energy Converters Arrayed in a Water Channel Resonator

Abstract

Abstract The performance of multiple wave energy converters (WECs) arranged in a Y-shaped water channel resonator (WCR) for amplifying the wave energy with low density was investigated. The WCR consists of a long channel and waveguide installed at the entrance. If the period of the incident wave coincides with the natural period of the fluid in the WCR, then resonance occurs, and the internal fluid is greatly amplified in the form of standing waves. The WECs were positioned at the anti-nodes of standing waves formed in the WCR to maximize energy extraction. We dealt with the heave motion, time-averaged power, and capture width ratio (CWR) of WECs, which are composed of a heaving cylinder and a linear generator. For this purpose, we used the boundary element method and WAMIT commercial code. In parallel, systematic model tests were conducted at the 2D wave tank in Jeju National University to validate the numerical solution. Both results were in good agreement. WECs with a short draft are efficient in energy extraction compared with WECs with a long draft. Numerical and experimental results reveal that the WECs arranged in a WCR have higher efficiency over a wide band of periods than a single WEC without a WCR. Therefore, the wave energy with low density can be amplified by the resonance of the internal fluid in the WCR.