Wave Energy Converter Test Program Development
Through the PhD research work of Scott Beatty the West Coast Wave Initiative has undertaken a model scale test program that enables fundamental research on WECs and provides data to support standards development. Supported in part by Natural Resources Canada, Natural Science and Engineering Research Council, and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, the UVic team has successfully developed and undertaken two phases of testing on a 1:25 scale self-reacting point absorber WEC model.
The first phase of experimental testing was successfully completed in December 2012 at Memorial University’s Ocean Engineering Research Centre tow tank in St. John’s Newfoundland. Scott Beatty, Matthew Hall and Bryce Bocking filled out the test team. The results provided validation of the WEC mathematical modeling approach being used by the research team on forthcoming WEC design studies. The tests also successfully proved the functionality of a world class experimental power-take-off (PTO) that was installed in the model.
A second phase of tests were conducted by Scott Beatty, Kush Bubbar, and Bryce Bocking in July 2013 again in St. John’s. These tests featured an expanded range of wave conditions and a three legged mooring configuration. Results are currently under analysis. The data will provide a backbone for the WCWI’s ongoing device modeling and simulation work. In addition, the data will be used to illustrate methodologies in ongoing standards development with International Electro-technical Commission 62600-100, -102, and -103 technical specifications that are either published or under development.
Some photos of the work are outlined below.
Left - A close up of the second of two self-reacting point absorber WEC configurations tested by the WCWI in December 2012 and July 2013. A variety of sensors and instrumentation critical to the WEC's operation are visible, including a laser displacement sensor, an inertial measurement unit, a load cell, motion capture markers, and an accelerometer.
Below -The first of two self-reacting point absorber Wave Energy Converter (WEC) configurations is being tested in regular waves at the Memorial University (MUn) Ocean Engineering Research Centre's Tow Tank in St. John's Newfoundland in July 2013. This image shows the circular pattern of the waves radiating from the WEC as it moves in addition to the incident waves. Bryce Bocking (UVic), Scott Beatty (UVic), and Trevor Clarke (MUn) are seen in the photo.