Analysing the influence of power take-off adaptability on the power extraction of dense wave energy converter arrays

TL;DR

This study evaluates how the adaptability of the power take-off system affects the power absorption of dense wave energy converter arrays, demonstrating potential performance improvements through optimized PTO design and array configuration.

Contribution

It introduces a numerical model incorporating PTO adaptability via a transmission ratio, enabling efficient analysis of dense WEC arrays in irregular waves.

Findings

Higher PTO adaptability can significantly increase power extraction.

Optimized array configurations and PTO designs improve performance.

The numerical model allows quick assessment of different deployment scenarios.

Abstract

The aim of this work is to assess the influence of different degrees of adaptability of the power take-off (PTO) system on the power absorption of dense wave energy converter (WEC) arrays. The adaptability is included in simulations through a transmission ratio that scales the force actuating the PTO relative to the force generated by the motion of a floater. A numerical model is used in which hydrodynamic interactions between floaters and nonlinearities in the PTO are considered. The lower computational cost of this numerical model makes it possible to study the power extraction of a dense WEC array in irregular waves to easily create power matrices and other performance metrics. The methodology is applied to the case study of the Ocean Grazer WEC to showcase the potential performance improvements achieved through the inclusion of a transmission ratio. The analysis shows that including a high degree of adaptability and choosing WEC array configurations and PTO designs specific to potential deployment locations early in the design process can lead to an increase in extracted power.