The amount of energy enclosed in ocean waves has been classified as one of the most promising renewable energy sources. Nowadays, different wave energy conversion (WEC) systems are being investigated, but only a few concepts have been operated in a sea environment. One of the largest challenges is to guarantee the offshore survivability of the devices in extreme wave conditions. However, there are large uncertainties related to the prediction of extreme wave loads on WECs.  Highfidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations can resolve nonlinear hydrodynamic effects associated with wave-structure interaction (WSI). This thesis explores the point-absorbing WEC developed by Uppsala University in extreme wave conditions. The dynamic response and the forces on key components (mooring line, buoy, generator's end-stop spring) of the device are studied and compared. The high nonlinear phenomena accompany the steep and high waves, i.e., breaking behavior, slamming loads can be well-captured by the highfidelity CFD simulations. A commonly used methodology for extreme waves selection, recommended by technical specifications and guidelines, is the environmental contour approach. The 100-year contour in Hamboldt Bay site in California and the 50-year contour in the Dowsing site, outside the UK, are utilized to extract the extreme waves examined in the present thesis. Popular methodologies and data from different sources (observational and hindcast data) are examined for the environmental contour generation providing useful insights. Moreover, two popular approaches for the numerical representation of the extreme sea states, either as focused wave or as equivalent regular wave, were examined and compared. A midfidelity model of the WEC is successfully verified, as the utilization of lower fidelity tools in the design stage would reduce the computational cost. Last but not least, in CFD simulations the computational grid is sensitive in large motions, something often occurs during extreme-WSI. The solution of this issue for the open source CFD software OpenFOAM is provided here.

<p> The prime objective is to define and characterize the various coastal environments in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The research, Hhich utilizes both secondary source information and actual field observations, takes into account coastal morphology, beach profile, sediment types, sea ice conditions, tidal range, depth of the frost table and wave energy. From a total of twelve coastal divisions based on the criteria of coastal morphology, tidal conditions and length of open water season, five have been chosen as t he basic coastal environ ments of the Arctic Archipelago. They are as follows: the Arctic Coastal Plain, the Ice Shelf, the Fiord environment, the High Straight coastal environment, and the Ridge and Valley coastal environment. Field observations within the last three environments provided additional evidence for the divisions and observations on the beach and nearshore characteristics at five selected locations. </p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

This research revolves around the concept design and theoretical validation of a new type of wave energy converter (WEC), comprising a pitching floater integrated with a resonant U-tank (RUT) and a Wells turbine as power take-off (PTO). Theoretical formulation of a fully coupled multi-body dynamic system, incorporating the thermodynamic processes of the RUT air chamber, its interaction with the PTO dynamics and their coupling with the floater is presented. Inaccuracies of the dynamic modeling of RUT based on Lloyd's low order model, which assumes constant hydrodynamic parameters irrespective of the frequency, are demonstrated by a series of high fidelity CFD simulations. These simulations are a systematic series of fully viscous turbulent simulations, using unsteady RANSE solvers, of the water sloshing at different frequencies of oscillation. Calibration of Lloyd’s model with CFD results evidenced that the RUT hydrodynamic parameters are not invariant to frequency. A numerical model was developed based on Simulink WEC-Sim libraries to solve the non-linear thermo-hydrodynamic equations of the device in time domain. For power assessment, parametric investigations are conducted by varying the main dimensions of the RUT and power RAOs were computed for each iteration. Performance in irregular sea state are assessed using a statistical approach with the assumption of linear wave theory. By superimposing spectrum energy density from two resource sites with RAO, mean annual energy production (MEAP) are computed. The predicted MEAP favorably compares with other existing devices, confirming the superior efficiency of the new proposed device over a larger range of incident wave frequency. / M.S. / This study present results of an investigation into a new type of wave energy converter which can be deployed in ocean and by its pitch response motion, it can harvest wave energy and convert it to electrical energy. This device consist of a floater, a U-tank (resonant U-tank) with sloshing water free to oscillate in response to the floater motion and a pneumatic turbine which produces power as air is forced to travel across it. The pneumatic turbine is used as the power take-off (PTO) device. A medium fidelity approach was taken to carry out this study by applying Lloyd’s model which describes the motion of the sloshing water in a resonant U-tank. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies were carried out to calibrate the hydrodynamic parameters of the resonant U-tank as described by Lloyd and it was discovered that these parameters are frequency dependent, therefore Lloyd’s model was modelled to be frequency dependent. The mathematical formulation coupling the thermodynamic evolution of air in the resonant U-tank chamber, modified Lloyd’s sloshing water equation, floater dynamics and PTO were presented for the integrated system. These set of thermo-hydrodynamic equations were solved with a numerical model developed using MATLAB/Simulink WEC-Sim Libraries in time domain in other to capture the non-linearity arising from the coupled dynamics. To assess the annual energy productivity of the device, wave statistical data from two resource sites, Western Hawaii and Eel River were selected and used to carrying out computations on different iterations of the device by varying the tank’s main dimensions. This results were promising with the most performing device iteration yielding mean annual energy production of 579 MWh for Western Hawaii.

Novige develops a wave energy converter (WEC) concept that utilizes wind-generated wave to create electricity. The system uses a float and a hydraulic cylinder to pump water up to a turbine, similar to an inverted hydro power plant. The penstock system that delivers the fluid to the turbine was optimized for efficiency and a theoretical efficiency of the penstock was calculated. The penstock and the surrounding components were updated to a commercial size. The longer cylinder resulted in a larger loss from the hydrostatic pressure. The optimal pipe diameter was calculated by comparing the friction loss and the additional weight resulting from a larger pipe. For the penstock the piping elements were compared and chosen for a higher efficiency. The penstock system can be optimized for efficiency by using pipe elements with lower coefficients of loss. It is more efficient to divert the flow as little as possible, while maintaining the same flow velocity throughout the system. Losses can be reduced by choosing the optimalpipe diameter size, therefore making the penstock as light as possible, while also reducing thepipe friction. The hydrostatic pressure from the height of the cylinder is the largest source of lossin the system. The efficiency of the redesigned penstock was found to be 93.7%. / Novige utvecklar ett vågkraftverks koncept som utnyttjar vindvågor för att generera elektricitet. Systemet använder sig av en flotte och en hydraulisk cylinder för att pumpa vatten upp till en turbin, det kan liknas vid ett inverterat vattenkraftverk. Tilloppstuben som leder vattnet till turbinen optimerades för effektivitet och den teoretiska effektiviteten av tilloppstuben beräknades. Tilloppstuben och de omgivande komponenterna uppdaterades för den kommersiella varianten. Den längre cylindern resulterade i större förluster på grund av det hydrostatiska trycket. Den optimala rör diametern beräknades genom att jämföra friktions förlusterna och de förluster som uppstår på grund av större rör vikt. Olika rörelementen i tilloppstuben jämfördes och valdes med avsikt på effektivitet. Effektiviteten i tilloppstuben kan optimeras genom att välja rörelement med lägre förlustfaktor. Det är mer effektivt att dela på flödet så lite som möjligt och behålla samma flödeshastighet genom hela systemet. Förlusterna kan minskas genom att välja den optimala rördiametern, vilket ger en så låg vikt som möjligt samtidigt som friktionsförlusterna i röret reduceras. Det hydrostatiska trycket från höjden av cylindern är den största orsaken till förlust i systemet. Effektiviteten av det nya tilloppstubs systemet är 93.7%.

The point absorber, one of the most popular types of ocean wave energy converter (WEC), usually consists of a rigid body buoy that can be efficiently modeled using existing WEC simulation tools. However, new wave energy technologies have looked to utilize flexible buoy structures to decrease costs, improve power generation, and increase portability. In addition to replacing rigid body designs, the combination of multiple renewable energy sources is another area that shows promising potential for increasing WEC power generation. With these concepts in mind, this work considers a new WEC design that features a flexible-inflatable buoy, an ocean current harvesting turbine, and a buoy shape that has been optimized for simultaneous wave and current energy harvesting. For this device, conventional modeling techniques cannot be used due to the highly nonlinear hydrodynamic interactions that result between the flexible buoy and the ocean waves. As a result, a Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) model must be used to determine how the flexibility of the buoy will influence the device's power generation. Currently, high-fidelity FSI modeling approaches are computationally expensive and unsuitable for early design decisions. As a result, this thesis utilizes a mid-fidelity method, the generalized modes modeling approach, to accurately and efficiently model the FSI of a WEC's flexible buoy. The resulting flexible buoy model was then compared to a rigid design to determine the performance differences between a rigid and flexible buoy, with a complex, optimized shape. / Master of Science / The ocean is a vast potential energy resource with a variety of different sources of renewable energy. Of these sources, ocean waves and ocean currents are two potentially massive power reserves present in many coastal areas. To capture energy from these sources, this work discusses the development of a device that can harvest energy from ocean waves and ocean currents simultaneously. In addition to harvesting energy from multiple sources, this device also features a flexible-inflatable buoy, with a shape that has been optimized for this unique application. However, since this device utilizes flexible materials, traditional modeling techniques used for rigid body designs would not be applicable. As a result, this work looks to model the interaction between the flexible buoy and the ocean waves to accurately predict the power generation of this device's wave energy converter.

O uso contínuo de combustíveis fósseis já se mostrou deletério há anos, além de ser um meio energético finito. Por este motivo, a demanda atual e futura por sistemas de energia limpa é grande. Muito embora já existam diversas estruturas dedicadas a extrair energia do mar, o conceito em que se pretende trabalhar é inovador e de tecnologia nacional. Este tema foi desenvolvido inicialmente em uma abordagem teórica pelo então aluno de engenharia naval Daniel Prata Vieira e sua colega Ana Luísa Orsolini, como Trabalho Final do curso de Engenharia Naval e Oceânica da Escola Politécnica da USP, orientados pelo Prof. Dr. André Luis Condino Fujarra. Vieira & Orsolini (2011) [1] abordaram de uma forma diferente o tema de geração de energia por ondas do mar, trazendo à tona o uso da já consagrada plataforma monocoluna - protótipo que rendeu diversos prêmios de inventor do ano da Petrobrás, além de patente, ao Tanque de Provas Numérico, laboratório do departamento de engenharia naval da POLI-USP. O trabalho dos alunos Daniel e Ana também foi reconhecido nacionalmente recebendo o Prêmio Petrobras de Tecnologia 2011 no tema de Tecnologia de Energia. A continuação do trabalho consiste em levar a fundo alguns pontos importantes relacionados ao dimensionamento da plataforma para otimizar a geração de energia através do movimento relativo entre ela e um corpo flutuante interno ao seu moonpool. O objetivo do trabalho é definir melhores geometrias através da parametrização das dimensões principais e da utilização de métodos numéricos num estudo mais detalhado e aprofundado. O método de desenvolvimento leva em conta todos os fatores que influenciam na dinâmica do sistema como a hidrodinâmica de dois corpos (plataforma e corpo interno flutuante) e a dinâmica do gerador de energia (tipo de gerador e seu impacto no amortecimento do sistema global). / The continued use of fossil fuels has proved harmful for years, besides being a means finite energy. For this reason, the current and future demand for clean energy systems are great. Although there are already several structures dedicated to extracting energy from the sea, the concept on which it intends to work is innovative and with local technology. This theme has been already developed in a theoretical approach by the student of naval engineering Daniel Prata Vieira and his classmate Ana Luisa Orsolini, such as Final Paper Course of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from the Escola Politécnica of USP, directed by Prof. Dr. André Luis Condino Fujarra. Vieira \\& Orsolini (2010) [1] studied in a different way the theme of energy generation from ocean waves, bringing up the use of already established monocolumn platform - prototype that earned several inventor of the year from Petrobras awards, besides patent, to the Numerical Offshore Tank, laboratory of the Naval Engineering Department of Poli - USP. The work of students Daniel and Ana was also recognized nationally getting the Petrobras Technology Award 2011 in the Energy Technology theme. The continuation of this work is to bring the background some important points related to platform design to optimize power generation through the relative motion between it and an internal floating body into moonpool. The objective is to define best geometries through the parameterization of the key dimensions and the use of numerical methods in a more detailed and in-depth study. The development method takes into account all the factors that influence the dynamics of the system such as the hydrodynamics of two bodies (platform and floating internal body) and the dynamics of the generator (type of generator and its impact on the damping of the global system).

O uso contínuo de combustíveis fósseis já se mostrou deletério há anos, além de ser um meio energético finito. Por este motivo, a demanda atual e futura por sistemas de energia limpa é grande. Muito embora já existam diversas estruturas dedicadas a extrair energia do mar, o conceito em que se pretende trabalhar é inovador e de tecnologia nacional. Este tema foi desenvolvido inicialmente em uma abordagem teórica pelo então aluno de engenharia naval Daniel Prata Vieira e sua colega Ana Luísa Orsolini, como Trabalho Final do curso de Engenharia Naval e Oceânica da Escola Politécnica da USP, orientados pelo Prof. Dr. André Luis Condino Fujarra. Vieira & Orsolini (2011) [1] abordaram de uma forma diferente o tema de geração de energia por ondas do mar, trazendo à tona o uso da já consagrada plataforma monocoluna - protótipo que rendeu diversos prêmios de inventor do ano da Petrobrás, além de patente, ao Tanque de Provas Numérico, laboratório do departamento de engenharia naval da POLI-USP. O trabalho dos alunos Daniel e Ana também foi reconhecido nacionalmente recebendo o Prêmio Petrobras de Tecnologia 2011 no tema de Tecnologia de Energia. A continuação do trabalho consiste em levar a fundo alguns pontos importantes relacionados ao dimensionamento da plataforma para otimizar a geração de energia através do movimento relativo entre ela e um corpo flutuante interno ao seu moonpool. O objetivo do trabalho é definir melhores geometrias através da parametrização das dimensões principais e da utilização de métodos numéricos num estudo mais detalhado e aprofundado. O método de desenvolvimento leva em conta todos os fatores que influenciam na dinâmica do sistema como a hidrodinâmica de dois corpos (plataforma e corpo interno flutuante) e a dinâmica do gerador de energia (tipo de gerador e seu impacto no amortecimento do sistema global). / The continued use of fossil fuels has proved harmful for years, besides being a means finite energy. For this reason, the current and future demand for clean energy systems are great. Although there are already several structures dedicated to extracting energy from the sea, the concept on which it intends to work is innovative and with local technology. This theme has been already developed in a theoretical approach by the student of naval engineering Daniel Prata Vieira and his classmate Ana Luisa Orsolini, such as Final Paper Course of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from the Escola Politécnica of USP, directed by Prof. Dr. André Luis Condino Fujarra. Vieira \\& Orsolini (2010) [1] studied in a different way the theme of energy generation from ocean waves, bringing up the use of already established monocolumn platform - prototype that earned several inventor of the year from Petrobras awards, besides patent, to the Numerical Offshore Tank, laboratory of the Naval Engineering Department of Poli - USP. The work of students Daniel and Ana was also recognized nationally getting the Petrobras Technology Award 2011 in the Energy Technology theme. The continuation of this work is to bring the background some important points related to platform design to optimize power generation through the relative motion between it and an internal floating body into moonpool. The objective is to define best geometries through the parameterization of the key dimensions and the use of numerical methods in a more detailed and in-depth study. The development method takes into account all the factors that influence the dynamics of the system such as the hydrodynamics of two bodies (platform and floating internal body) and the dynamics of the generator (type of generator and its impact on the damping of the global system).

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The design, development and evaluation of a novel wave energy converter (WEC) device, called the ShoreSWEC, in a South African port development is presented. Based on the device requirements, site selection criteria were specified and applied to identify a suitable deployment location. A wave modeling procedure was developed to determine the operational wave conditions and available wave power resource at the selected location. The site was found to have a low mean annual average resource of approximately 2.3 kilowatt per meter wave crest (kW/m) due to its relatively sheltered location. The wave model was further used to determine design storm conditions and a structural stability analysis of the device was conducted. Experimental tests were performed to evaluate the hydrodynamic conversion efficiency of a single chamber of the device at its most conservative orientation, under a variety of wave energy conditions. The effect of a floor incline and an additional chamber on the performance of the system was investigated. The incline improved efficiency for low wave heights, making it ideal for the low wave power resource conditions of the site, whilst the multi-chamber system experienced increased performance at high wave periods. A comparison between the ShoreSWEC and a conventional oscillating water column (OWC) WEC showed that the OWC extracted 72% more energy, highlighting the sensitivity of performance on device orientation. A three-dimensional (3D) numerical model of the experimental setup was developed. The numerical model provided comparable water surface elevations inside the flume and chamber, yet predicted significantly higher internal chamber pressures and overall efficiency. The electricity generation potential of a 10 chamber ShoreSWEC at the specified location, approximated from the experimental results and 11 years of hindcast wave data, was found to be 6 kW on average for a 15 kW capacity system. Results of this study highlighted the need for greater understanding of the hydrodynamic characteristics of a full length device. Experimental tests in a 3D wave basin on a scaled full length ShoreSWEC model are therefore recommended. Once conducted, South Africa will be one step closer to the deployment of the full scale SWEC device. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die ontwerp, ontwikkeling en evaluasie van ‘n unieke golfenergieomsetter (GEO), genaamd die ShoreSWEC, in ‘n Suid-Afrikaanse haweontwikkeling word aangebied. Terrein evaluasie kriteria, gebaseer op die omsettervereistes, is ontwikkel en toegepas om die mees belowende terrein te identifiseer. ‘n Golfmodeleringsprosedure is ontwikkel om die operasionele golfkondisies en beskikbare golfdrywinghulpbron te bepaal. Daar is gevind dat die terrein ‘n lae gemiddelde golfdrywing van bykans 2.3 kilowat per meter golfkruin het as gevolg van die beskutte ligging. Die golfmodel is verder gebruik om ontwerpstormkondisies te bepaal en ‘n stabiliteitsanalise was op die toestel struktuur uitgevoer. Eksperimentele toetse van verskeie golfenergie kondisies is gedoen om die hidrodinamiese omsettingseffektiwiteit van ‘n enkel kamer van die toestel te bepaal teen sy konserwatiefste orientasie. Die effek van ‘n vloerhelling en ‘n addisionele kamer op die uitsette van die sisteem is ondersoek. Die helling het effektiwiteit verbeter vir lae golfhoogtes wat dit ideaal maak vir die lae hulpbron by die terrein, terwyl die veelvoudige-kamer-sisteem beter gevaar het by hoë golfperiodes. ‘n Vergelyking tussen die ShoreSWEC en ‘n konvensionele ossilerende waterkolom (OWK) GEO het gewys dat die OWK 72% meer energie onttrek. Dit beklemtoon die sisteem se sensitiwiteit vir die inkomende golfrigting. ‘n Drie-dimensionele (3D) numeriese model van die eksperimentele opstelling is ontwikkel. Die numeriese model het aansienlik hoër drukke binne die kamer, en gevolglik algehele effektiwiteit, voorspel as die eksperimentele toetse. Die elektriese opwekkingskapasiteit van ‘n 10 kamer ShoreSWEC by die terrein, gebaseer op die eksperimentele resultate en 11 jaar se golfdata, is bereken as 6 kW gemiddeld vir ‘n 15 kW kapasiteit stelsel. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie het die behoefte aan ‘n beter begrip van die hidrodinamiese eienskappe van ‘n vollengte sisteem beklemtoon. Eksperimentele toetse in ‘n 3D golfbak op ‘n geskaleerde vollengte ShoreSWEC model word dus aanbeveel. Sodra dit voltooi is, sal Suid-Afrika een stap nader wees aan die ontplooiing van ‘n volskaalse SWEC toestel.

<p>Denna rapport ger förslag på olika metoder att automatiskt justera flytläget på en statiskt förankrad boj, en överblick över de processer som styr ändringen av vattennivån och en statisktisk analys på vattennivåförändringarna vid Stockholm, Kungsholmsfort och Kungsvik.</p><p>Beroende på vattenivåns variation finns olika metoder för justering. Områden med små variationer av vattennivå lämpar det sig bäst utan någon som helst justering av flytläget. Områden med inte för stora tidvattensförändringar bör justeras med ett system bestående av vinsch, växellåda med en utväxling på 10 000:1, en 12 V DC motor, ett skötselfritt 12 V batteri, en luftlindad linjärgenerator och en trådtöjningsgivare. Områden med stora variationer i tidvatten behöver en avlastning för motorn i form av en fjäder och dämpare. De monteras horizontellt inuti bojen för att skyddas från den yttre miljön.</p><p>Den statistiska analysen påvisade de största vattennivåändringarna vid både Kungsviks och Kungsholmsforts mätstationer, båda uppvisade ett intervall på 1,6 m mellan minimum och maximum. Kungsvik var den station med de största dagliga variationerna, detta på grund av tidvattnets påverkan i området.</p> / <p>This thesis gives examples of different methods of automated adjustment of floatation level for a static moored buoy, an overview of the theories behind water level change and a statistical analysis of the water level changes for Stockholm, Kungsholmsfort and Kungsvik.</p><p>Depending on the range and frequency of the water level change different methods of adjustment are recommended. For areas with small changes in sea level the best choice would be no adjustment of the floatation level. Areas that are influenced by moderate tidal ranges should incorporate a system of regulation consisting of a winch, gearbox with a gear ratio of around 10,000:1, 12 V DC motor, 12 V maintenance free battery, air coiled linear generator and a strain gauge. For areas with large tidal ranges the previous system should be complimented with a horizontally mounted spring, inside the buoy, to lessen the loads on the motor.</p><p>The statistical analysis found the largest extremes in water level of the three sites to be at Kungsvik and Kungsholmsfort, both exhibiting a range of almost 1.6 m. Kungsvik was the station with the largest daily variations, this is because this is the only station influenced by tidal variations.</p>

Marine renewable energy promises to provide a significant contribution to the future electricity supply. It is estimated that 17% of today's UK electricity demand could be generated from wave and tidal sources. The ambition to harvest this resource is in the public interest, as it eases the pressures on energy security, holds the potential to reduce carbon emissions and has the prospect to create a new UK industry sector worth £15 billion. From an engineering perspective, marine energy is one of the least developed renewable energy technologies and has to be regarded as unproven. The reliability of components and devices in the harsh marine environment is one of the main engineering challenges. Reliability assessments and the assurance of acceptable reliability levels are dependant on the adequacy of failure information, which is scantily available for marine energy. This thesis shows that large failure rate uncertainties impede the reliability assessment for wave energy converters and how a suite of experimental, numerical and statistical methods can be applied to improve scarcely available reliability information. The analysis of component load conditions identifies fatigue as failure mode of concern and the fatigue life of mooring lines and marine power cables is quantified in a floating wave energy application. A Bayesian statistical approach and dedicated service-simulation component testing is proposed, and implemented to improve the quality of reliability estimates and to provide relevant data and assurance. The methods presented, along with the results, will assist reliability assessment and design during early development stages, and will inform the prediction of maintenance requirements during operation. Reliable marine energy systems will be the technical enabler for the successful transition of prototype devices to a commercially viable marine energy industry.