Oscillating body wave energy conversion efficiency based on Simulink simulation training

Abstract

Abstract With the development of the economy and society, we are faced with the dual challenges of energy demands and environmental pollution. As one of the important marine renewable energies, wave energy is widely distributed and abundant, and has considerable applications in various fields. Oscillating body wave energy converter (WEC) is most popular among WECs; its energy conversion efficiency is thus one of the key issues for practical large‐scale applications. This article establishes a new model of the float and vibrator under different motion conditions, conducts simulation training, and then solves the displacement and velocity at different times, and finally optimizes the maximum output power and optimal damping coefficient. Simulink calculation is one of the most effective tools including neural networks, which allows us to achieve intelligent training and simulation. The obtained data imply that the maximum output power could be 8.102 W when the corresponding linear damping is 21,000 N s/m and the rotation damping is 95,000 N s/m. The article takes into account the pitching motion of the float, providing a more realistic model and obtaining optimal power absorbing efficiency. The obtained results could be the potential reference data in practically setting up the wave energy conversion systems.

Keywords

• maximum power
• optimal damping coefficient
• Simulink simulation training
• wave energy