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Hydrodynamic Simulation of Wave Energy Converter Using Particle-Based Computational Fluid Dynamics

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Abstract

Wave energy from the ocean is currently a very popular renewable energy, and its development has primarily focused on the shape of the wave energy converter (WEC) used to efficiently convert wave energy into electrical energy. However, the free surface ocean wave problem is very complex and the parameters affecting WEC behavior are difficult to understand. In this paper, based on the Lattice-Boltzmann method, we present particle-based CFD simulation results for the pivoted-type WEC that exhibits both vertical and horizontal motions. In this method, the computation domain need not be a mesh and complex geometry is not a limiting factor. Using a free-surface turbulence model, we simulated the fluid–structure interaction. We detail our simulation results, which show good agreement with those in the literature.

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Funding

The project is sponsored by the Energy Policy and Planning Office, Ministry of Energy, Thailand (Contract No. 07-02-57-014).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Maritime Engineering, Faculty of International Maritime Studies, Kasetsart University, Sriracha Campus, Chonburi, 20230, Thailand

    Yodchai Tiaple

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  1. Yodchai Tiaple
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Correspondence to Yodchai Tiaple.

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Article Highlights

• A particle-based CFD based on the Lattice–Boltzmann method allows there to be no limitation on the complexity of the model and is also suitable for moving model.

• The hydrodynamic simulations for the pivoted WEC can predict its performance which is consistent with the experimental results reported in the literature.

• The energy conversion efficiency of the pivoted floating buoy is quite high compared to with the pure heave motion of the WEC.

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Tiaple, Y. Hydrodynamic Simulation of Wave Energy Converter Using Particle-Based Computational Fluid Dynamics. J. Marine. Sci. Appl. 18, 48–53 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11804-019-00070-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11804-019-00070-0

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