Wave power

About: Wave power is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2671 publications have been published within this topic receiving 41439 citations. The topic is also known as: wind wave energy & sea wave energy.

Hardware-in-the-Loop Validation of Model Predictive Control of a Discrete Fluid Power Power Take-Off System for Wave Energy Converters

Abstract: Model predictive control based wave power extraction algorithms have been developed and found promising for wave energy converters. Although mostly proven by simulation studies, model predictive control based algorithms have shown to outperform classical wave power extraction algorithms such as linear damping and reactive control. Prediction models and objective functions have, however, often been simplified a lot by for example, excluding power take-off system losses. Furthermore, discrete fluid power forces systems has never been validated experimentally in published research. In this paper a model predictive control based wave power extraction algorithm is designed for a discrete fluid power power take-off system. The loss models included in the objective function are based on physical models of the losses associated with discrete force shifts and throttling. The developed wave power extraction algorithm directly includes the quantized force output and the losses models of the discrete fluid power system. The experimental validation of the wave power extraction algorithm developed in the paper shown an increase of 14.6% in yearly harvested energy when compared to a reactive control algorithm.

Reciprocating wave power generating device

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for using low-speed disordered low-grade mechanical energy in power generation, in particular to a reciprocating wave power generating device, which is characterizedin that the device consists of a floating energy collection device, a floating push rod, a swing lever, a sliding rack, ratchet gears, a variable-speed energy storage device, an energy storage flywheel and a generator; the floating energy collection device transfers energy to the swing lever through the floating push rod movably connected with the floating energy collection device; the swing leveris movably connected with the sliding rack; the ratchet gears are divided into two types, namely a clockwise type and an anticlockwise type, and all mesh with the sliding rack; the ratchet gears drive the variable-speed energy storage device and the energy storage flywheel to rotate; and the energy storage flywheel drives the generator to work. The energy utilized by the device is pollution-freeenergy which can also be used as the energy for producing hydrogen, desalinating seawater and processing foods as well as various industrial/agricultural products, besides the use in power generation.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Abstract: Attempts to convert wave energy are not new: wave energy conversion began with the purpose of signalling the presence of navigation buoys. Wave energy was used to force air up through the central channel of the buoys which contained integral whistles to give an acoustic warning. This application was developed in the 1940s, with generators used to light the buoys. Later work in the 1970s in Norway and the UK (Salter’s Duck), although not progressed to commercial levels, saw the first real precursors of today’s electricity generating converters based on wave power. In contrast to today’s more stringent regulatory requirements, these early wave energy devices were not subject to licensing constraints or assessments of their impacts. So, although the capture and exploitation of wave power for human use is not new, the associated studies into the possible environmental impacts of this in-dustry are now key elements of its future success. It has been stated that wave energy schemes produce no emissions in normal operation (Thorpe, 2001), which is true with regard to emissions typical of fossil fuel exploitation. However, there are other possible emissions covering both the operational phase and the associated installation, maintenance and decommissioning phases. During the operational phase there is likely to be noise emitted by devices under operation, a risk of emissions associated with any incidents involving pollutants (e.g., hydraulic oils), emissions from antifouling coatings, and so on. Like all the other renewable energies, wave energy will inevitably have some effects on the environment, positive as well as negative.

Trend Detection of Wave Parameters along the Italian Seas

Abstract: In this paper, trend detection of wave parameters such as significant wave height, energy period, and wave power along the Italian seas was carried out. To this purpose, wave time series in the period 1979–2018 taken from the global atmospheric reanalysis ERA-Interim by European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) were considered. Choosing a significance level equal to 90%, the use of the Mann–Kendall test allowed estimating ongoing trends on the mean values evaluated at yearly and seasonal scale. Furthermore, the assessment of the magnitude of the increase/decrease of the wave parameters was performed through the Theil–Sen estimator. The obtained results underlined that the mean values of the considered wave parameters were characterized by a high occurrence of positive trends in the different Italian seas. The findings of this study could have implications for studies of coastal flooding, shoreline variations, and port operations, and for the assessment of the performances of Wave Energy Converters.

Self generation light buoy in parallel with wave power and solar cell

Abstract: PURPOSE: A wave power self generation light buoy having parallel solar cells is provided to be semi-permanently used by generating electricity using vertical vibration of an object and sunlight. CONSTITUTION: A self generation light buoy in parallel with wave power and solar cell comprises a case body, a wave power generating part, a solar battery generating part, an electricity storing part(400), and a flicker signal part. The case body is composed of an upper case(110) and a lower case(120). The wave power generating part is installed at the lower part of the case body. The wave power generating part is composed of a spring, an induction coil, and a rectifier circuit. The solar battery generating part is installed on the top floor of the case body. The electricity storing part stores the direct current created from the solar battery generating part.