Researchers from the University of Rome Tor Vergata, led by Dr. Marco Gambarini, have been studying ways to optimize the layout and control of wave energy converter parks, specifically focusing on oscillating water column (OWC) devices. Their work, published in the journal Applied Energy, aims to improve the efficiency and practicality of wave energy conversion, a promising renewable energy technology.
The team developed a novel model based on a nonlinear ordinary differential equation to describe the behavior of the water column in an OWC device. This model was used to estimate the power matrix of an isolated device. To enable fast simulations of large parks with many devices, they then linearized the model. The choice of the hydrodynamic model allowed them to obtain the gradient of the power with respect to the positions through an adjoint approach, making it particularly useful for optimization.
The researchers considered the interaction of these wave energy converters with the piles of a floating wind energy plant. Their findings suggest that interaction effects can be significant even in parks made up of small devices, if the number of devices is large enough. Moreover, they found that wave reflection from the piles of an offshore platform can have positive effects on energy production.
This research provides valuable insights for designing the layout of wave energy parks. By optimizing the placement and control of OWC devices, the energy sector can improve the efficiency of wave energy conversion, making it a more viable and competitive renewable energy source. The practical applications of this research could lead to better integration of wave energy converters with other offshore structures, such as wind farms, enhancing the overall energy output and reliability of renewable energy systems.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.