Adaptive Wave Energy Converter Floater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wave energy converters have a fixed natural frequency, limiting their efficiency to a single resonance frequency, which does not align with the varying sea states and wave periods, typically between 4 seconds to 8 seconds, resulting in suboptimal energy harvesting across this frequency range.
Innovation Solution
A smart wave energy converter with a reconfigurable floater, a reference wave frequency measurement module, a central control module, a submerged buoyancy element, and an anchoring system that adjusts its natural heave frequency to match the measured wave frequency, using mechanisms such as changing effective water plane area and mass to maximize motion response across a wider wave spectrum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional WEC has a fixed natural frequency, then it achieves highest efficiency at this single frequency, but it cannot achieve highest efficiency across the varying wave frequency range (4-8 seconds)
Solution Approach 1:
The wave energy converter employs active mass adjustment mechanisms that allow the system to dynamically change its mass and natural frequency in response to varying wave conditions. The control system continuously monitors wave frequency and adjusts the converter's mass to maintain resonance, transforming a static system into a dynamic one that adapts to changing environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its physical parameters (mass and natural frequency) based on the measured wave conditions. By adjusting the mass of the floating converter, the natural frequency is modified to match the peak wave frequency, thereby maintaining optimal energy extraction efficiency across different sea states.
2Productivity
If the WEC adjusts its natural frequency to match varying wave frequencies, then it achieves higher efficiency across a wider frequency range, but it requires complex reconfigurable mechanisms and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The wave energy converter incorporates autonomous control capabilities where the system monitors wave conditions and automatically adjusts its own mass and frequency characteristics without external intervention. This self-regulating mechanism reduces the need for complex external control infrastructure while maintaining optimal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control by continuously measuring wave frequency and using this information to adjust the converter's mass and natural frequency. The control system processes sensor data about wave conditions and dynamically modifies system parameters to maintain resonance, creating a closed-loop control mechanism that optimizes energy extraction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The smart wave energy converter achieves higher motion response and more efficient wave energy capture, reducing the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and enhancing commercial viability by adapting its natural frequency to match the characteristic period of incident waves, resulting in up to 42% more motion response compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
A WEC depends on its heave response to produce electricity and its efficiency is the highest when it has the maximum motion response, typically at its natural frequency due to resonance motion
Implementation Method 2
a submerged buoyancy element; The reconfigurable floater may be connected to the submerged buoyancy element by the one or more power take-off devices
Data Source
AI summary
A smart wave energy converter may include a reconfigurable floater; a reference wave frequency measurement module; a central control module; a submerged buoyancy element; one or more power take-off devices; and an anchoring system. The reconfigurable floater may be connected to the submerged buoyancy element by the one or more power take-off devices. The submerged buoyance element may be connected to the anchoring system. The reconfigurable floater may include one or more mechanisms to alter a natural heave frequency of the reconfigurable floater. The reference wave frequency measurement module may measure a frequency of a wave state and transmit a measured frequency to the central control module. The central control module may adjust a property of the one or more mechanisms to match the natural heave frequency of the reconfigurable floater to the measured frequency.