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Weight Reduction Methodologies for Wave Energy Devices: A Structural Analysis Approach

The floating Backward Bent Duct (BDD) Buoy oscillating water column model generates electricity through the fluctuation in wave height. Wave energy conversion devices are often faced with a particularly high levelized cost of energy (LCOE) whencompared to other renewable energy devices, and various investigations into bridging this gap have been carried out in recent history. Previous studies on the BBDBuoy have suggested that a significant reduction in required construction material is possible as a result of reduced differential pressures acting across the hull walls in operational conditions. Various structural analysis campaigns have been conducted on sections of the hull to assess this theory. A Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was performedon a full-scale model of the BBDBuoy under extremedesign wave loadings in based on wave dataat EMEC’s Billia Croo test facility in Orkney, Scotland using Robot Structural Analysis software. A maximum pressure of 145kPa was calculated for an 18.7 m peak wave height at Billia Croo. The BBDBuoy was modelled for both static and dynamic load conditions under various constraint layouts. A modal analysis was conducted on the model which estimates the natural frequency of the BBDBuoy to be approximately 6.67Hz.

Authors
R. Sharvin and M. O’Shea
Year
2023
Publication Name
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 15TH EUROPEAN WAVE AND TIDAL ENERGY CONFERENCE
Category
Conference Paper / Proceedings
Link to Publication
https://submissions.ewtec.org/proc-ewtec/article/view/661/148

Offshore Renewable Energy Research Group

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