Simulating Investigation on the Motion and Power Response of Double Raft Wave Energy Capturer with Different Shapes

Abstract

Wave energy is considered as one of the most promising renewable energy sources. Compared with the point type, the line absorbing wave power generation device has a greater advantage in the large scale power generation because of its higher wave energy capture efficiency and greater stand-alone power. Study on the hydrodynamic characteristics of floating bodies in a double raft type wave power generation device is conducted in this paper, focusing on the linear wave conditions, through numerically analyzing the impacts of floating body geometry (cuboid, cylinder, elliptic cylinder or capsule) on the floating body wave motion and energy. The results show that there is little difference between the wave forces in the vertical direction of different floating bodies while capsule has the largest relative pitch angle and maximum wave energy capture power. The conclusions will contribute to the further theoretical study and application design in raft type wave energy device.