Researchers from the University of Western Australia, including Jana Orszaghova, Siane Lemoine, Harrif Santo, Paul H. Taylor, Adi Kurniawan, Nicholas McGrath, Wenhua Zhao, and Michael V. W. Cuttler, have conducted a study to quantify the variability of wave power production for the M4 wave energy converter (WEC) at two distinct locations: off Albany, Western Australia, and at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, UK. Their findings, published in the journal Renewable Energy, provide valuable insights for the wave energy industry, particularly in assessing potential deployment sites and optimizing machine size.
The study focuses on the M4 WEC, a floating articulated device that extracts energy from the flexing motion of waves about a hinge. The researchers used multi-decadal wave hindcast data to predict the power output of the M4 WEC at the two locations. They analyzed the variability of power production at different timescales, from 3-hourly intervals to seasonal and inter-annual trends.
At shorter timescales, the research found that the 3-hourly power yield was more variable at Orkney compared to Albany. This variability was quantified using probability distributions, production duration curves, and coefficients of variation. From a continuity of supply perspective, the study investigated occurrences of low production at three different threshold levels, calculating the duration and likelihood of such events. Orkney was found to suffer from more persistent lows, leading to a more intermittent power output.
At longer timescales, seasonal trends were highlighted through average monthly power values. The study also considered the effect of machine size on power performance, finding that smaller machines were more effective in smoothing out the stochastic nature of the underlying wave resource.
These findings have practical applications for the energy sector, particularly in the wave energy industry. By quantifying the variability of power production, the study aids in the assessment of potential deployment sites and the optimization of machine size. This information can help energy companies make informed decisions about where and how to deploy wave energy converters, ultimately contributing to the development of a more reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure.
Source: Orszaghova, J., Lemoine, S., Santo, H., Taylor, P. H., Kurniawan, A., McGrath, N., Zhao, W., & Cuttler, M. V. W. (2023). Variability of wave power production of the M4 machine at two energetic open ocean locations: off Albany, Western Australia and at EMEC, Orkney, UK. Renewable Energy, 202, 1181-1195.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.