Physical and Numerical investigation of float shapes on the performance of the M4 of Wave Energy Converter

Confirmation seminar presented by Reza Abbasi

The M4, a wave energy converter device that was recently proposed, is at the forefront of technological innovation in renewable energy. This novel device serves as the central theme of this thesis. A numerical model based on the Boundary Element Method (BEM) was created and validated against a scaled physical model at the Australian Maritime College in order to provide a thorough understanding. Additionally, the study explores the impact of float shapes in more detail, with a special emphasis on the device's aft part. In order to achieve particular performance requirements, different float shapes were carefully evaluated with the goal of investigating how float slope affects the M4 device's overall performance. Float shapes were designed in large-scale numerical simulations run under certain wave conditions before any experimental modelling was done. Utilizing the ANSYS AQWA boundary element solver program, hydrodynamic parameters are determined. Physical tests were conducted with identical wave characteristics in order to analyse the power absorption capacities with distinct power take-off damping allocated to every float. It has been found that the proposed new float shape, maintaining the same characteristics such as natural frequency and mass, has a greater ability to absorb power in heave compared to the original float shape of the aft part of the M4 device. By combining newly developed float shapes into a novel arrangement of the device this research aims to push the boundaries even further. The main goal is to carefully examine how these changes impact the device's functionality and capacity for successfully capturing wave energy. The goal of this investigation is to uncover fresh perspectives that might transform the field of the M4 wave energy conversion technology.