Recent additions in the modeling capabilities of an open-source wave energy converter design tool

Nathan Tom, Michael Lawson, Yi Hsiang Yu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

WEC-Sim is a midfidelity numerical tool for modeling wave energy conversion devices. The tool's code employs the MATLAB SimMechanics package to solve multibody dynamics and model wave interactions using hydrodynamic coefficients derived from frequency-domain boundary-element methods. This paper presents the new modeling features introduced in the latest release of WEC-Sim. The first feature is conversion of the fluid memory kernel to a state-space form. This enhancement offers a substantial computational benefit after the hydrodynamic body-to-body coefficients are introduced and the number of interactions increases exponentially with each additional body. Additional features include the ability to calculate the wave-excitation forces based on the instantaneous incident wave angle, allowing the device to weathervane, as well as import a user-defined wave elevation time series. A review of the hydrodynamic theory for each feature is provided and the successful implementation is verified using test cases.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 25th International Ocean and Polar Engineering Conference, ISOPE 2015
PublisherInternational Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers
Pages835-842
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781880653890
StatePublished - Jun 2015
Event25th International Ocean and Polar Engineering Conference, ISOPE 2015 - Kona, Big Island, United States
Duration: 21 Jun 201526 Jun 2015

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference
Volume2015-January
ISSN (Print)1098-6189
ISSN (Electronic)1555-1792

Conference

Conference25th International Ocean and Polar Engineering Conference, ISOPE 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityKona, Big Island
Period21/06/1526/06/15

Keywords

  • Modeling software
  • NREL
  • Open source
  • WEC-Sim
  • Wave energy converter

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