Abstract. In this paper we present a computational model of lexicon formation that extends the nature of form-meaning associations from previous language game models to be more "flexible". The model more easily copes with complexity and it better captures the flexibility of form-meaning associations found in human languages. Experiments are conducted using embodied agents playing situated language games. We present and discuss some interesting properties of the emergent dynamics exhibited by our model: first, the model seems to be able to handle some difficulties earlier models struggled with. Second, meanings of words can shift between being very specific (names) and general (e.g. thing). And third, not the model itself but the distribution of object properties in the world biases the specificity of words.

Currently, the techno-economic performance of Wave Energy Converters (WECs) is not competitive with other renewable technologies. Size optimization could make a difference. However, the impact of sizing on the techno-economic performance of WECs still remains unclear, especially when sizing of the buoy and Power Take-Off (PTO) are considered collectively. In this paper, an optimization method for the buoy and PTO sizing is proposed for a generic heaving point absorber to reduce the Levelized Cost Of Energy (LCOE). Frequency domain modeling is used to calculate the power absorption of WECs with different buoy and PTO sizes. Force constraints are used to represent the effects of PTO sizing on the absorbed power, in which the passive and reactive control strategy are considered, respectively. A preliminary economic model is established to calculate the cost of WECs. The proposed method is implemented for three realistic sea sites, and the dependence of the optimal size of WECs on wave resources and control strategies is analyzed. The results show that PTO sizing has a limited effect on the buoy size determination, while it can reduce the LCOE by 24% to 31%. Besides, the higher mean wave power density of wave resources does not necessarily correspond to the larger optimal buoy or PTO sizes, but it contributes to the lower LCOE. In addition, the optimal PTO force limit converges at around 0.4 to 0.5 times the maximum required PTO force for the corresponding sea sites. Compared with other methods, this proposed method shows a better potential in sizing and reducing LCOE.

Hydrodynamic wave loading on structures plays an important role in areas such as coastal protection, harbor design and offshore constructions (FPSO’s, mooring), and there is a need for its prediction up to a detailed level (max./min. pressures, duration of pressure peaks, shear stresses, etc.). In close cooperation with industry, long-year joint-industry projects are carried out to develop a numerical simulation method: the CFD method ComFLOW. The two major application areas are the prediction of extreme wave forces on offshore platforms and offloading vessels, and the prediction of impact forces on coastal protection structures. The paper will present a short overview of the method, some recent results and future plans.

No abstract

No abstract