A review of wave energy converter technology
01 Dec 2009-Vol. 223, Iss: 8, pp 887-902
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of wave energy converter (WEC) technology is presented, focusing on work being undertaken within the United Kingdom, and some of the control strategies to enhance the efficiency of point absorber-type WECs.
Abstract: Ocean waves are a huge, largely untapped energy resource, and the potential for extracting energy from waves is considerable. Research in this area is driven by the need to meet renewable energy targets, but is relatively immature compared to other renewable energy technologies. This review introduces the general status of wave energy and evaluates the device types that represent current wave energy converter (WEC) technology, particularly focusing on work being undertaken within the United Kingdom. The possible power take-off systems are identified, followed by a consideration of some of the control strategies to enhance the efficiency of point absorber-type WECs. There is a lack of convergence on the best method of extracting energy from the waves and, although previous innovation has generally focused on the concept and design of the primary interface, questions arise concerning how best to optimize the powertrain. This article concludes with some suggestions of future developments.
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TL;DR: A comprehensive review of wave energy converters and air turbines can be found in this paper, together with a survey of theoretical, numerical and experimental modelling techniques of OWC converters.
594 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a complete analysis of the wave energy technology is presented, starting with the characterisation of this global resource in which the most suitable places to be exploited are showed, and the classification of the different types of wave energy converters in according to several features.
Abstract: The wave energy is having more and more interest and support as a promising renewable resource to replace part of the energy supply, although it is still immature compared to other renewable technologies. This work presents a complete analysis of the wave energy technology, starting with the characterisation of this global resource in which the most suitable places to be exploited are showed, and the classification of the different types of wave energy converters in according to several features. It is also described in detail each of the stages that are part in the energy conversion, that is, from the capture of the energy from the waves to the extraction of a proper electrical signal to be injected to the grid. Likewise, existing offshore energy transmission alternatives and possible layouts are described.
553 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a comprehensive classification of the synergies between offshore wind and wave energy, the different options for combining wave and offshore wind energy, and the technological aspects is presented.
Abstract: The sustainable development of the offshore wind and wave energy sectors requires optimising the exploitation of the resources, and it is in relation to this and the shared challenge for both industries to reduce their costs that the option of integrating offshore wind and wave energy arose during the past decade. The relevant aspects of this integration are addressed in this work: the synergies between offshore wind and wave energy, the different options for combining wave and offshore wind energy, and the technological aspects. Because of the novelty of combined wave and offshore wind systems, a comprehensive classification was lacking. This is presented in this work based on the degree of integration between the technologies, and the type of substructure. This classification forms the basis for the review of the different concepts. This review is complemented with specific sections on the state of the art of two particularly challenging aspects, namely the substructures and the wave energy conversion.
407 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, a wave energy has been shown to have some favorable variability properties (a perennial issue with many renewables, especially wind), especially when combined with wind energy, and wave energy can be used to fulfill future increasing energy needs.
Abstract: With the recent sharp increases in the price of oil, issues of security of supply, and pressure to honor greenhouse gas emission limits (e.g., the Kyoto protocol), much attention has turned to renewable energy sources to fulfill future increasing energy needs. Wind energy, now a mature technology, has had considerable proliferation, with other sources, such as biomass, solar, and tidal, enjoying somewhat less deployment. Waves provide previously untapped energy potential, and wave energy has been shown to have some favorable variability properties (a perennial issue with many renewables, especially wind), especially when combined with wind energy [1].
284 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors bring the latest status on integration of wave energy device with other marine facilities, which is the breakwater structure that may possibly aid to cost sharing, and show that the integration opens up a new dimension to acknowledge the technology harnessing ocean wave, especially for the Asian countries experiencing medium wave condition.
Abstract: One of the most abundant energy sources exists in this world is the ocean wave energy. By far, it has shown to be the most clean, renewable, predicted energy and has raised the potential to compete with the current use of non-renewable energy sources. Recent research conducted on wave energy invention has opened a new dimension to slowly reduce the dependency on fossil fuel by introducing new technology on the renewable world but relatively lacking in economical aspect. This review brings the latest status on integration of wave energy device with other marine facilities, which is the breakwater structure that may possibly aid to cost sharing. Most researches done on this field highlighted countries experiencing rough sea condition and focused less on countries with medium wave condition as faced by the Asian continent. The potential for energy extraction and wave dissipation for medium wave condition will be discussed in this review by considering several aspects including reliability, effectiveness and performance. Finally, this review shows that the integration opens up a new dimension to acknowledge the technology harnessing ocean wave, especially for the Asian countries experiencing medium wave condition.
267 citations
References
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors used the data for the spectra of fully developed seas obtained for wind speeds from 20 to 40 knots as measured by anemometers on two weather ships.
Abstract: : The data for the spectra of fully developed seas obtained for wind speeds from 20 to 40 knots as measured by anemometers on two weather ships are used to test the similarity hypothesis and the idea that, when plotted in a certain dimensionless way, the power spectra for all fully developed seas should be of the same shape as proposed by Kitaigorodskii (1961). Over the important range of frequencies that define the total variance of the spectrum within a few percent, the transformed plots yield a non-dimensional spectral form that is nearly the same over this entire range of wind speeds within the present accuracies of the data. However, since slight variations of the wind speed have large effects on the location of this non-dimensional spectral form, inaccuracies in the determination of the wind speed at sea allow for some latitude in the final choice of the form of the spectrum. Also since the winds used to obtain the non-dimensional form were measured at a height greater than ten meters, the problem of relating the spectral form to a standard anemometer height arises. The variability introduced by this factor needs to be considered. The results, when errors in the wind speed, the sampling variability of the data, and the anemometer heights are considered, suggest a spectral form that is a compromise between the various proposed spectra and that has features similar to many of them.
2,190 citations
Book•
31 Dec 1990
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a review of renewable energy technologies, including photovoltaic power technology, wind power technologies, wave power, and geothermal energy technologies with a focus on using energy efficient technologies.
Abstract: 1. Principles of Renewable Energy 2. Solar Radiation and the Greenhouse Effect 3. Solar Water Heating 4. Other Solar Thermal Applications 5. Photovoltaic Power Technology - PV 6. Hydropower 7. Wind Resource 8. Wind Power Technology 9. Biomass Resources from Photosynthesis 10. Bioenergy Technologies 11. Wave Power 12. Tidal-current and Tidal-range Power 13. Ocean Gradient Energy: OTEC and Osmotic Power 14. Geothermal Energy 15. Energy Systems: Integration, Distribution and Storage 16. Using Energy Efficiently 17. Institutional and Economic Factors Review 1: Electrical Power Review 2: Fluid Dynamics Review 3: Heat Transfer Review 4: Solid State Physics for Photovoltaics Review 5: Units and Conversions: Algebraic Method Appendix A: Units and Conversions Appendix B: Data Appendix C: Some Heat Transfer Formulas Appendix D: Comparisons of Technologies Short Answers to Selected Problems Index
1,173 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, wave spectrum parameters related to transport, distribution and variability of wave energy in the sea are explained. But, the authors do not consider the effect of wave interference on the performance of wave-energy converters.
920 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the progress in wave energy conversion in Europe during the past ten years is reviewed and current activities and initiatives in the wave energy sector at National and Union level are described.
Abstract: The progress in wave energy conversion in Europe during the past ten years is reviewed and current activities and initiatives in the wave energy sector at National and Union level are described. Other important activities worldwide are summarized. The technical and econ
908 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the simulation results of a grid-connected wind driven doubly fed induction machine (DFIM) together with some real machine performance results are presented for operating conditions below and above synchronous speed, which are actually achieved by a double-sided PWM converter joining the machine rotor to the grid.
Abstract: This paper presents the simulation results of a grid-connected wind driven doubly fed induction machine (DFIM) together with some real machine performance results. The modeling of the machine considers operating conditions below and above synchronous speed, which are actually achieved by means of a double-sided PWM converter joining the machine rotor to the grid. In order to decouple the active and reactive powers generated by the machine, stator-flux-oriented vector control is applied. The wind generator mathematical model developed in this paper is used to show how such a control strategy offers the possibility of controlling the power factor of the energy to be generated.
800 citations