Comparative study of wave-induced motion for two types of floating pendulum wave energy converters

Abstract

We comparatively investigated wave-induced motions of two floating pendulum wave energy converters (WECs): one designed to reduce motion response via a damping plate and the other designed to reduce motion response via a large water-plane area. The motion responses were compared through model tests under operational and survival wave conditions and were numerically analyzed through a higher-order boundary element method (HOBEM) using the wave Green function. From experimental and numerical data, 6-DOF motion responses were compared under survival conditions. The WEC efficiency was estimated from the relative angular motions of the pendulum. An optimal WEC design was proposed by considering seakeeping performance and efficiency. Copyright ？ 2014 by the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).