Study on Hydrodynamic Efficiency of a Multi-Float Wave Energy Converting Device

摘要

This study investigates on the hydrodynamic efficiency of a waveenergy converting device using multiple floats. The floats have the samesize and mass, arranged along the wave propagation direction and closeto each other. A scale model was built in the laboratory at HohaiUniversity and then employed to study the device’s performance in wavecontrolling and wave energy conversion. During the physical tests, thewater surface fluctuation around the structures, the motion of floats, andthe voltage output of the dynamos are simultaneously measured. Resultsshow that the incoming wave energy is effectively dissipated by theinteractions between waves and structures for the waves with anintermediate wave period. The energy conversion is also helpful for thewave controlling as electricity generation modules absorb part ofincident wave energy. Meanwhile, the advantage of the present device inextracting wave energy efficiently at a wide range of wave frequency isconfirmed. When the wave period is 1.2~1.6 s, the device’s performanceis optimal, and the energy conversion efficiency is about 15%.