Automated optimisation of a heaving point absorber

Abstract

Recent development in energy generation policies around the world has lead to a rejuvenation of the sector of wave energy converters. This study aims at proposing a method of automated optimisation for such a system. The analysed system is a single buoy heaving point absorber with a linear generator as power take off system. The buoy is initially modelled as a cylinder and analysed using potential flow theory for the hydrodynamic motion characteristics. The solution takes into account annuity averaged results as well as the possibility of optimisation of generator damping for each sea state. An automated optimisation routine is set up and used to investigate a number of cases that illustrate the behaviour of the model and the optimisation set up. Verification efforts show good agreement with expected behaviour as well as published results for the various parts of the solution and analysis behave as expected. Further a two degree of freedom model is developed for investigation of surge contribution potential and to illustrate how the model can be applied to a different system.