Optimization of a wave energy converter for the WECwakes II project

Wave energy has the potential to play a significant role in the future energy system. Estimates show that ocean wave energy can realistically provide about 10% of the world's electricity needs. Exploiting the energy of ocean waves, however, addresses several important challenges that have hitherto prevented the wave energy industry from being blocked. Therefore, several Wave Energy Converter (WEC) projects have been developed in recent years. In most cases, the WEC will not be installed in single units but will be installed in parks to extract an important amount of wave power. In the former WECwakes project, a number of 25 WEC buoys were tested in different geometric configurations and tested in different wave conditions, obtaining essential data on the importance of the effects of the WEC array. However, it is desirable to improve the understanding of the effects of the WEC array by providing high quality experimental data. Therefore, the WECfarm project was established. A first goal in progress is to improve the original WEC design. The developed WEC unit is based on the type of absorption point. The main objective of this thesis was to define a new WEC design with a better radiation effect to maximize WEC wave interactions, WEC-WEC interactions and a reduced peak force on the WEC system. To this end, a numerical study provided by a BEM (Boundary Element Method) model, NEMOH, was performed with the objective to evaluate the performance of the designed WEC unit. Second objective of this dissertation are to provid experimental data for a good choice of the bearings. Air bushings experimental tests were performed on two different layouts.