A spectral-domain wave-to-wire model for wave energy converters with a geared rotary generator

Abstract

Numerical modelling plays a pivotal role in the design and optimization of wave energy converters. Spectral-domain (SD) modelling has recently received significant research interest as a newly emerging numerical tool. SD modelling is commonly characterized as an extension of frequency-domain (FD) modelling but can incorporate nonlinearities. Thereby, it combines high computational efficiency and adequate accuracy. Previous studies have demonstrated the applicability of SD modelling to a variety of nonlinear hydrostatic/hydrodynamic effects, including viscous drag force, nonlinear hydrostatic force, nonlinear mooring force, etc. However, there also exist influential nonlinear effects in the power generation phase in wave energy conversion. For instance, previous studies have demonstrated that the current limit of the electrical generator could impact the PTO force and the dynamics of the whole system. Therefore, it is necessary to further develop the SD modelling to cover the entire wave-to-wire process in WECs.

In this paper, a SD model is derived to simulate the wave-to-wire process of a point absorber WEC. A mechanical PTO system coupled with a rotary permanent-magnet generator is considered for the WEC. Representative nonlinear effects of the wave-to-wire process are incorporated, including viscous drag force, nonlinear PTO force, and the current limit of the generator. A nonlinear time-domain (TD) wave-to-wire model is established correspondingly to serve as the accuracy reference because it is inherently associated with higher modelling fidelity.  The dynamic response and the power performance of the proposed SD model are verified against those of the nonlinear TD wave-to-wire model. Additionally, the computational efficiency of the proposed SD model and the TD model is identified and compared.