Flexible Responsive Systems in Wave Energy: FlexWave

波浪能中的灵活响应系统：FlexWave

• 批准号: EP/V040367/1
• 负责人: Deborah Greaves
• 金额: $ 85.8万
• 依托单位: Plymouth University
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2021 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FV040367%2F1
• 关键词: Flexible; Responsive; Systems; Wave; Energy

Wave energy convertors (WECs) offer opportunities for niche (powering aquaculture and offshore stations) and grid-scale applications. However, disruptive innovation is essential to unlock the potential of wave energy, achieve step change reduction in cost of energy, and prove competitiveness against other renewable energy options. Here we investigate the opportunity to transform the development of WEC systems by utilising intelligent design concepts that exploit novel use of deformable materials. WECs based on deformable materials may offer improved performance, survivability, reliability, and reduced cost compared with steel or concrete alternatives for the following reasons: 1. To achieve a given resonant frequency, a flexible fabric device can be smaller and lighter. 2. Hydrodynamic characteristics of such a device can be modified by controlling its internal fluid pressure, enabling it to be tuned to suit incident wave conditions. These adjustments can be made by an on-board intelligent responsive system. 3. Controlled non-linear changes of geometry would enable a deformable fabric structure to accommodate or shed high loads without reaching critical stress concentrations, improving survivability and reducing installation and lifetime costs. 4. Flexibility opens up the possibility to use a range of PTOs, such as novel distributed embedded energy converters (DEECs) utilising distributed bellows action, electro active polymers, electric double layer capacitors or micro-hydraulic displacement machines.5. A lightweight flexible structure with largely elastic polymer construction is unlikely to cause collision damage, and so is therefore a low risk option for niche applications, such as co-location with offshore wind devices. The performance of flexible responsive systems in wave energy, their optimisation in operating conditions, and their ability to survive storm waves, will be assessed through a programme of wave basin experiments and numerical modelling of different flexible WEC concepts. Survivability is a critical hurdle for all WEC concepts as by their nature they need to respond in energetic sea states while avoiding critical stresses in extreme seas. For a flexible responsive structure, this means avoiding concentration of stress (naturally avoided by collapse/folding) or of strain (avoided by use of a distributed PTO during operational conditions). Numerical models will be developed that account for complex interactions between wave action, deforming membrane structure, and internal fluid. The models will be informed, calibrated, and validated using results from materials testing and fundamental hydro-elastic experiments. Advantages and disadvantages of rubber-based, polyurethane and other reinforced polymer materials will be assessed in terms of manufacturing cost, join, bonding, and fatigue performance in the marine environment. The research will draw on origami theory and the technology of deployable structures to avoid problems with wrinkling, folding, or aneurysm formation, and an entirely new design may emerge through this innovative approach. We aim to demonstrate a pathway to cost reduction for flexible fabric WECs optimising for performance, structural design and manufacture for both utility scale and niche applications.

波浪能转换器（WEC）为利基（水产养殖和海上电站供电）和电网规模应用提供了机会。然而，颠覆性创新对于释放波浪能的潜力、实现能源成本的逐步降低以及证明相对于其他可再生能源的竞争力至关重要。在这里，我们研究了通过利用可变形材料的新颖用途的智能设计概念来改变 WEC 系统开发的机会。与钢或混凝土替代品相比，基于可变形材料的 WEC 可以提供更高的性能、生存能力、可靠性并降低成本，原因如下： 1. 为了实现给定的谐振频率，柔性织物装置可以更小、更轻。 2. 这种装置的流体动力学特性可以通过控制其内部流体压力来改变，从而使其能够适应入射波条件。这些调整可以通过机载智能响应系统进行。 3. 受控的非线性几何变化将使可变形织物结构能够适应或承受高载荷，而不会达到临界应力集中，从而提高生存能力并降低安装和生命周期成本。 4. 灵活性使得使用一系列取力器成为可能，例如利用分布式波纹管作用的新型分布式嵌入式能量转换器 (DEEC)、电活性聚合物、双电层电容器或微液压位移机。5．具有大量弹性聚合物结构的轻质柔性结构不太可能造成碰撞损坏，因此对于利基应用（例如与海上风电设备共置）来说是一个低风险的选择。 柔性响应系统在波浪能方面的性能、其运行条件的优化以及其抵御风暴波浪的能力，将通过一系列波盆实验和不同柔性 WEC 概念的数值建模进行评估。生存能力是所有 WEC 概念的一个关键障碍，因为就其性质而言，它们需要在充满活力的海况中做出反应，同时避免极端海洋中的临界压力。对于灵活的响应结构，这意味着避免应力集中（自然地通过塌陷/折叠来避免）或应变集中（通过在操作条件下使用分布式 PTO 来避免）。 将开发数值模型来解释波浪作用、变形膜结构和内部流体之间的复杂相互作用。将使用材料测试和基本水弹性实验的结果来通知、校准和验证模型。橡胶基、聚氨酯和其他增强聚合物材料的优缺点将从制造成本、连接、粘合和海洋环境中的疲劳性能方面进行评估。该研究将利用折纸理论和可展开结构技术来避免起皱、折叠或动脉瘤形成的问题，并且通过这种创新方法可能会出现一种全新的设计。我们的目标是展示一种降低柔性织物 WEC 成本的途径，优化公用事业规模和利基应用的性能、结构设计和制造。

项目成果

Origami-adapted clam design for wave energy conversion

用于波浪能转换的折纸蛤设计

• DOI: 10.36688/ewtec-2023-329
• 发表时间: 2023
• 期刊: Proceedings of the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference
• 作者: Yang J

Niche Applications and Flexible Devices for Wave Energy Conversion: A Review

• DOI: 10.3390/en14206537
• 发表时间: 2021-10
• 期刊: Energies
• 影响因子: 3.2
• 作者: E. Renzi;S. Michele;Siming Zheng;S. Jin;D. Greaves

Hydro-elastic interaction of polymer materials with regular waves

高分子材料与规则波的水弹性相互作用

• DOI: 10.36688/ewtec-2023-330
• 发表时间: 2023
• 期刊: Proceedings of the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference
• 作者: Puzhukkil K

Graphene oxide reinforced room-temperature-vulcanising elastomers for flexible wave energy converters

用于柔性波浪能转换器的氧化石墨烯增强室温硫化弹性体

• DOI: 10.36688/ewtec-2023-216
• 发表时间: 2023
• 期刊: Proceedings of the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference
• 作者: Wang X

Conference poster

会议海报

• 发表时间: 2013
• 期刊: AGU Fall Meeting
• 作者: Penna NT