Preliminary Wave Energy Converters Extreme Load Analysis

Yi-Hsiang Yu, Michael Lawson, Jennifer van Rij, Ryan Coe

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

31 Scopus Citations

Abstract

Wave energy converter (WEC) devices are designed to sustain the wave-induced loads that they experience during both operational and survival sea states. The extreme values of these forces are often a key cost driver for WEC designs. These extreme loads must be carefully examined during the device design process, and the development of a specific extreme condition modeling method is essential. In this paper, the key findings and recommendations from the extreme conditions modeling workshop hosted by Sandia National Laboratories and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are reviewed. Next, a study on the development and application of a modeling approach for predicting WEC extreme design load is described. The approach includes midfidelity Monte-Carlo-type timedomain simulations to determine the sea state in which extreme loads occur. In addition, computational fluid dynamics simulations are employed to examine the nonlinear wave and floating-device-interaction-induced extreme loads. Finally, a discussion on the key areas that need further investigation to improve the extreme condition modeling methodology for WECs is presented.

Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages9
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
EventASME 2015 34th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, OMAE 2015 - St. John's, Canada
Duration: 31 May 20155 Jun 2015

Conference

ConferenceASME 2015 34th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, OMAE 2015
Country/TerritoryCanada
CitySt. John's
Period31/05/155/06/15

Bibliographical note

See NREL/CP-5000-63677 for preprint

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CP-5000-65665

Keywords

  • Computational fluid dynamics simulation
  • Design load
  • Extreme condition modeling
  • Timedomain numerical model
  • Wave energy

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