A study on the wave response and efficiency of a pendulum wave energy converter

Abstract

With the increase in renewable energy expectations, wave-generated energy is being studied for its economic and environmental benefits. A pendulum wave energy converter induces incident waves in a water chamber and forms standing waves as the incident and reflected waves are superposed. A pendular plate is installed at the standing wave node and it drives an electric generator connected to the power system. In this study, two-dimensional model tests are conducted to evaluate the basic shape design and wave responses of a water chamber and pendulum system. The wave responses of the fixed model water chamber and the motions of a floating model are presented by varying wave periods and wave heights. An electric motor, acting as a load system of the generator with torque control, is connected to the pendulum shaft to assess the wave energy conversion efficiency. The effects of variations in load and incident wave conditions (period and height) are compared and analyzed from the viewpoint of wave energy conversion efficiency. These results suggest a more optimal design of a pendulum wave energy converter (WEC) with improved energy conversion efficiency. Copyright ？ 2012 by the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).