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.

波能转换器(WEC)为利基(为水产养殖和近海发电站提供动力)和电网规模的应用提供了机会。然而，颠覆性创新对于释放波能的潜力、实现能源成本的阶段性变化降低以及证明相对于其他可再生能源选择的竞争力至关重要。在这里，我们调查了通过利用智能设计概念来改变WEC系统开发的机会，这些设计概念开发了可变形材料的新用途。与钢材或混凝土材料相比，基于可变形材料的WEC可以提供更高的性能、生存能力、可靠性和更低的成本，原因如下：1.为了达到给定的谐振频率，柔性织物设备可以更小、更轻。2.这种装置的水动力特性可以通过控制其内部流体压力来修改，使其能够进行调整以适应入射波浪条件。这些调整可以通过车载智能响应系统进行。3.几何形状的受控非线性变化将使可变形的织物结构能够在不达到临界应力集中的情况下适应或减轻高负荷，提高生存能力，并降低安装和使用成本。4.灵活性使使用一系列PTO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、双电层电容器或微型液压驱动机。具有大部分弹性聚合物结构的轻质柔性结构不太可能造成碰撞损害，因此对于利基应用来说是一个低风险的选择，例如与海上风电设备共用位置。柔性响应系统在波浪能量方面的性能、它们在操作条件下的最优化以及它们在风暴中的生存能力，将通过波盆实验和不同柔性WEC概念的数值模拟来评估。生存能力是所有WEC概念的关键障碍，因为从本质上讲，它们需要在充满活力的海况下做出反应，同时避免在极端海洋中面临严重压力。对于灵活的响应结构，这意味着避免应力集中(通过坍塌/折叠自然避免)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，以考虑波浪作用、变形的膜结构和内部流体之间的复杂相互作用。这些模型将利用材料测试和基本水弹性实验的结果进行通知、校准和验证。将从制造成本、连接、粘接和在海洋环境中的疲劳性能等方面评估橡胶基、聚氨酯和其他增强聚合物材料的优缺点。这项研究将借鉴折纸理论和可展开结构的技术，以避免出现褶皱、折叠或动脉瘤形成的问题，通过这种创新方法，可能会出现一个全新的设计。我们的目标是展示一条降低柔性织物WEC成本的途径，优化性能、结构设计和制造，以满足公用事业规模和利基应用。

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