Investigation of Environmental Conditions and Output Power Assessment of a Floating Pendulum Wave Energy Converter

Abstract

This paper focuses on the investigation of wave environmental conditions and wave power assessment of a floating pendulum wave energy converter. The western part of the Jeju Sea was selected as the optimal site in Korea for investigation and analysis of environmental conditions owing to its high wave density and existing infrastructure. Numerical and experimental investigations of previous studies were analyzed in order to conduct wave power assessment. The floating wave energy converter will be installed at a particular orientation to ensure the safety of the mooring system; therefore, we simulated electric power generation characteristics for different orientations of the wave energy converter (WEC). Comparison and analysis of these results provided an optimal installation orientation based on the purpose of the WEC. By taking installation orientation into account, we were able to determine wave environmental conditions and optimize the performance of the WEC.n and analysis of environmental conditions owing to its high wave density and existing infrastructure. Numerical and experimental investigations of previous studies were analyzed in order to conduct wave power assessment. The floating wave energy converter will be installed at a particular orientation to ensure the safety of the mooring system; therefore, we simulated electric power generation characteristics for different orientations of the wave energy converter (WEC). Comparison and analysis of these results provided an optimal installation orientation based on the purpose of the WEC. By taking installation orientation into account, we were able to determine wave environmental conditions and optimize the performance of the WEC.