Design and Optimisation of a novel Multiple Wave Absorber Platform

本博士研究旨在通过数值和物理建模相结合的方法开发多波吸收平台（MWAP）的优化设计。该设备架构是通过与世界领先机构（Wave Energy Scotland）的工业/商业合作获得的，将基于差压设备。这项工作旨在通过在单个平台上同时部署多个WEC来实现WEC能量密度的阶梯式变化。这需要应用协同设计方法来理解站位保持、WEC流体动力相互作用（布局）和WEC控制之间的设计交互作用。在这类压差WECs上使用耦合气动弹簧系统的利弊还存在未知的问题，需要了解这些问题来推动这些设计决策。这项工作将缩小数值模拟与MWAP概念的坦克测试差距，提供更成熟的设计和知识，以推动未来的设计迭代。这项工作建立在我在FloWave任职期间与WES合作的MWAP概念之上。其目的是利用硬件（我在设计阶段就大量参与）来回答迄今为止所进行的短期测试程序中排除的更基本的研究问题。特别是，这项工作是探索通过更高的能量密度（共同定位的设备）、共享的站保持系统和共同的电网连接基础设施来实现降低能源成本所需的技术。平衡动力起飞优化、系统质量和性能的需求可能需要一种协同设计方法，而在比较数值和物理建模设计工具时，基本问题仍然是“模拟到坦克的差距”。在MWAP平台的背景下评估这一差距是本研究的核心支柱。

This PhD research aims to develop an optimised design of a Multiple Wave Absorber Platform (MWAP) via a combined numerical and physical modelling approach. The device architecture is informed through industrial/commercial collaboration with a world-leading body (Wave Energy Scotland) and will be based on a differential pressure device. This work will aim to achieve a step-change in WEC energy density through the co-location of multiple WECs on a single platform. This requires the application of a co-design approach to understand the design interactions between station-keeping, WEC hydrodynamic interactions (layout), and WEC control in particular. There are unknown questions on the benefits or deficits of using a coupled pneumatic spring system on this class of pressure differential WECs, an understanding of which is required to drive these design decisions. This work will look to close the numerical simulation to tank testing gap for the MWAP concept, providing a more mature design and knowledge to drive future design iterations.The work builds upon past collaborations on the MWAP concept undertaken with WES through my position at FloWave. The intention is to leverage the hardware (which I have been heavily involved with at design stage) to answer the more fundamental research questions excluded from the short test programmes undertaken to date. In particular, the work is to explore the techniques required to achieve lowered levelised cost of energy through higher energy density (co-located devices), shared station keeping systems, and common grid connection infrastructure. Balancing the demands of power take off optimisation, system mass and performance will likely require a co-design approach, while fundamental questions remain on the "simulation to tank gap" when comparing numerical and physical modelling design tools. Assessing this gap in the context of the MWAP platform is a central pillar of this proposed research.