Wave energy converters of the wave activated body class are designed to have large amplitudes of motion, even in moderate sea states, because their efficiency is directly related with the amplitude of their motion. Hence, classical seakeeping numerical tools based on linear potential theory, which are widely used in the design process of offshore structures, are not accurate enough in the case of wave energy conversion. So, large differences between numerical predictions and wave tank experiments are often observed. On the other hand, the use of CFD models theoretically able to provide more accurate results is still difficult for wave energy applications, mainly because this requires a huge computation time. Moreover, it is well known that viscous solver have difficulties in propagatating gravity waves accurately. In this paper, we assess the potential of two advanced hydro-dynamic numerical models in the numerical modelling of wave energy converters. These numerical models are expected to provide more accurate results than classical linear theory based numerical models and faster results than CFD models. Particularly, these tools are expected to be able to deal efficiently with large motions of wave energy converters. In the first one, the hydrostatic forces and the Froude-Krylov forces are computed on the exact wetted surface of the wave energy converter, whereas radiation and diffraction forces are computed using the standard linear potential theory. Using this model, it is shown that we were able to predict the parametric roll phenomenon in the case of the SEAREV wave energy converter. In the second one, a Navier Stokes solver, based on RANS equations, is used. Comparisons are made with experiments and it is showed that this tool is able to model quite accurately viscous effects such as slamming. However, computation time is found to be long with this last tool.

This paper introduces a new second generation wave energy converter concept named SEAREV [Systeme Electrique Autonome de Recuperation d’Energie des Vagues]. The working principle and linearized equations of the device are described. It is shown how energy absorption depends on the shape of the external floating body and on the mechanical characteristics of the moving mass. This allows to numerically optimize the geometry of the device. Latching control is used to further improve the capture width of the system, with success in regular waves.

Sea-states are usually described by a single set of 5 parameters, no matter the actual number of wave systems they contain. We present an original numerical method to extract from directional spectra the significant systems constituting of a complex sea-state. An accurate description of the energy distribution is then given by multiple sets of parameters. We use these results to assess the wave climatology in the Bay of Biscay and to estimate the power harnessable in this area by a particular Wave Energy Converter, the SEAREV. Results show that the fine description of sea-states yields a better assessment of the instantaneous device response. The discrepancy between the classical and multi-sets descriptions show that the new one is preferable for the assessment of harnessable power and for device design.

Time domain simulations of an offshore floating wind turbine have been performed. Hydrodynamic impulse responses of the floating platform are calculated with linear hydrodynamic simulation tool ACHIL3D. A user defined module for the wind turbine design code FAST has been developed to calculate hydrodynamic and mooring loads on the structure. Resolution of the movements of the system is done with FAST. Simulation results in time domain are compared with frequency domain results. In the frequency domain model, the whole system is linearized. In the time domain model, the wind turbine model is not linearized. A good agreement between time and frequency domain calculations is observed, even for the pitch motion. Furthermore we observe a non linearity in the response of sway, roll and yaw degrees of freedom around 0.3 rad.s-1. The effect of viscous damping on the movements of the floating wind turbine system has been studied with the time domain model, and a non linear hydrostatic and Froude-Krylov load model has been developed. Effects of these non linear terms are shown.

In this study, a selection of Wave Energy Converters (WECs) with different working principle is considered. It comprises a heaving device reacting against the seabed, a heaving self-reacting two-bodies device, a pitching device, and a floating OWC device. They are inspired by concepts which are currently under development. For each of these concepts, a numerical Wave To Wire (W2W) model is derived. Numerical estimates of the energy delivery which one can expect are derived using these numerical models on a selection of wave site along the European coast. This selection of wave site is thought to be representative with levels of mean annual wave power from 15 to 88 kW/m. Using these results, the performance of each WEC is assessed not only in terms of yearly energy output, but also in terms of yearly absorbed energy/displacement, yearly absorbed energy/wetted surface, and yearly absorbed energy per unit significant Power Take Off force. By comparing these criteria, one gets a better idea of the advantages and drawbacks of each of the studied concepts.