Modelling and Numerical Analysis of a Novel Wave Energy Converter*

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the numerical study of a new schematic for extracting marine energy through offshore wave energy harvesting and analyzes the design factors as well as environmental factors that create deviations in the energy efficiency. Though the device has some similarities to a traditional Backward Bent Duct Buoy, this invention is double-chambered and the whole power take-off set-up remains inside the device. It is a floating-type wave energy converter with a buoyancy material which can produce electric power from the movement of air inside the device from one chamber to another without interacting with the outside atmosphere which ensures device longevity and better performance of the system in rough ocean weather and normal weather alike. As the device has two chambers opposite to one another it can make efficient use of waves out of phase. The paper includes MATLAB simulated results for mechanical power obtainable from a bidirectional wind turbine inside the device.

KEYWORDS:

• Double chambered BBDB
• Hydroelectric power generation
• Energy conversion
• Energy harvesting
• Ocean energy harvesting
• Wave power

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Olly Roy Chowdhury

Olly Roy Chowdhury received her BSc and MS degrees in applied physics, electronics and communication engineering, from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2006 and 2007, respectively. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Mechanical Engineering, at Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh. Currently, she is a PhD student in Sunchon National University in Korea. Her research area is renewable energy harvesting.

E-mail: [email protected]

Hong-geun Kim

Hong-geun Kim received his BSc and MS degrees in information and communication engineering from Sunchon National University in 2011 and 2013, respectively. Currently, he is a PhD student at Sunchon National University. His research focuses on localization and renewable energy harvesting, embedded system, and RFID/USN technologies.

E-mail: [email protected]

Jangwoo Park

Jangwoo Park received his BSc, MS, and PhD in Electronic Engineering from Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea, in 1987, 1989 and 1993, respectively. In 1995, he joined the faculty of Sunchon National University, where he is currently a professor in the Department of Information and Communication Engineering. His research focuses on localization and SoC system designs, and RFID/USN technologies.

E-mail: [email protected]