Ermakov, A., Marie, A. & Ringwood, J. (2022) – Some fundamental results for cyclorotor wave energy converters for optimum power capture
The LiftWEC project has published a new peer-reviewed research article!
The paper entitled “Some fundamental results for cyclorotor wave energy converters for optimum power capture” was published in IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy by Dr Andrei Ermakov, Dr Alice Marie, & Professor John Ringwood. The final paper is available for download at IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy.
Abstract: Cyclorotor-based wave energy converters (WECs) present a relatively new and innovative paradigm for wave energy harvesting. Their operational principle is based on the generation of lift forces on the rotating hydrofoils due to their interaction with wave-induced circulation of water particles. As a result, relatively little is known about their optimal operation. To date, cyclorotor device performance has been measured by the power of waves radiated by the WEC, while a constant rotational velocity, consistent with the wave frequency, is employed. In this note we show (a) that variation of the cyclorotor velocity within the incoming monochromatic wave period significantly increases the generated mechanical power, while (b) optimising wave cancellation is at odds with the maximisation of shaft power. To optimise shaft power, the paper adopts a multi-harmonic solution for variable cyclorotor rotation rate, inspired by methods developed in other WEC domains.
Keywords: Wave energy converter, Cyclorotor, Performance metrics, Velocity profile, Optimal control