Analytical and numerical analysis of the dynamics of a moonpool platform-wave energy buoy (MP-WEB)

Abstract

In this work the hydrodynamic performance of a novel wave energy converter configuration was analytically and numerically studied by combining a moonpool and a wave energy buoy, called the moonpool platform-wave energy buoy (MP-WEB). A potential flow, semi-analytical approach was adopted to assess the total (incident, diffraction, radiation) wave forces acting on the device, and the wave capture and energy efficiency performance of this configuration was assessed, both in the time and frequency domain. The performance of the two configurations, single float and double float, were analyzed and compared in terms of diffraction force, added mass radiation force, motion, and power in the frequency domain. Using an impulse response function-based (IRF) method, the frequency domain results were converted in the time domain. The same parameters in the time domain were derived and the main results were confirmed. Wave energy conversion efficiency was significantly increased due to the resonance phenomenon inside the moonpool.