Preliminary Analysis of a Submerged Wave Energy Device
Jordan Robert Wagner1, Joshua James Wagner1, Masoud Hayatdavoodi2 and R. Cengiz Ertekin3, (1)Texas A&M University - Galveston, Department of Ocean Engineering, Galveston, TX, United States, (2)Texas A&M University at Galveston, Ocean Engineering, Galveston, TX, United States, (3)University of Hawaii, Dept. of Ocean and Resources Engineering, Honolulu, HI, United States
Abstract:
Preliminary analysis of a submerged wave energy harvesting device is presented. The device is composed of a thin, horizontally submerged plate that is restricted to heave oscillations under the influence of surface waves. The submerged plate is oscillating, and it can be attached to a fixed rotor, or a piston, to harvest the wave energy. A fully submerged wave energy converter is preferred over a surface energy convertor due to its durability and less visual and physical distractions it presents. In this study, the device is subject to nonlinear shallow-water waves. Wave loads on the submerged oscillating plate are obtained via the Level I Green-Naghdi equations. The unsteady motion of the plate is obtained by solving the nonlinear equations of motion. The results are obtained for a range of waves with varying heights and periods. The amplitude and period of plate oscillations are analyzed as functions of the wave parameters and plate width. Particular attention is given to the selection of the site of desired wave field. Initial estimation on the amount of energy extraction from the device, located near shore at a given site, is provided.
