Geometrical framework for hydrodynamics and control of wave energy converters

A. Mérigaud, B. Thiria, & R. Godoy-Diana
PRX Energy 2, 023003 (2023)
doi: 10.1103/PRXEnergy.2.023003

Approaches for converting the energy of sea-surface waves into useful power remain on the fringe of renewable energy solutions despite years of research. Among the hundreds of proposed wave-energy converters, no single wave-energy device provides sufficient power to be an attractive practical solution. Therefore, considering an integrated farm of many devices is an intrinsic part of the problem. Models need to consider the dynamics of many devices simultaneously, and the devices’ interaction with each other and the environment introduces additional complexity. In this work, we propose a conceptually simple analysis framework that uses geometry in the complex plane to understand the basic relations underlying wave-energy conversion in a model farm. Under this framework, a single complex variable encapsulates wave reflection, transmission, and absorption by a row of wave-energy converters and provides guidance for achieving maximal power output under impedance-matching conditions.