Flexible Responsive Systems in Wave Energy: FlexWave
Lead Research Organisation:
Plymouth University
Department Name: Sch of Engineering
Abstract
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.
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.
Organisations
- Plymouth University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Griffon Hoverwork (Collaboration)
- BP (British Petroleum) (Collaboration)
- Single Buoy Mooring Inc (Collaboration)
- Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Collaboration)
- Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (Collaboration)
- Wave Energy Scotland (Collaboration)
- U.S. Department of Energy (Collaboration)
Publications
Michele S
(2023)
Floating hydroelastic circular plate in regular and irregular waves
in European Journal of Mechanics - B/Fluids
Puzhukkil K
(2022)
Conference poster
Puzhukkil K
(2022)
Conference poster
Puzhukkil K
(2023)
Hydro-elastic response of flexible membrane exposed to regular waves
Puzhukkil K
(2023)
Hydro-elastic interaction of polymer materials with regular waves
in Proceedings of the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference
Renzi E
(2021)
Niche Applications and Flexible Devices for Wave Energy Conversion: A Review
in Energies
Wang X
(2023)
Graphene oxide reinforced room-temperature-vulcanising elastomers for flexible wave energy converters
in Proceedings of the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference
Xinyu Wang
(2022)
Conference poster
Yang J
(2022)
Conference poster
Yang J
(2022)
Conference poster
Description | Use of origami theory to optimise design of deformable structures in wave energy conversion; understanding of the material properties for materials used in membrane structures and their performance in the marine environment and under cyclic loading; understanding of hydrodynamics of flexible membrane structures under water waves. |
Exploitation Route | 3 Patent applications pending. |
Sectors | Energy Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
Description | Physical modelling data obtained through the Flexible Responsive Systems in Wave Energy (FlexWave) project [EP/V040367/1] has been utilised within CCP-WSI Blind Test Series 4, entitled 'Focused wave interactions with a submerged flexible membrane'. This blind test consists of three cases involving a submerged flexible membrane subject to a focused wave event. In addition to these focused wave cases, there are additional cases to enable characterisation of the structural properties and the hydrodynamic conditions. These characterisation cases include: empty tank tests, i.e. generation and propagation of the focused wave events in isolation, without the structure present, and; static equilibrium tests, i.e. measurement of the membrane position/shape in equilibrium under the action of gravity (both submerged and subaerial). CCP-WSI Blind Test Series 4 was run in conjunction with the ISOPE 2023 conference in Ottawa, Canada. Three contributions were made to the technical program, with two papers published in the conference proceedings. The physical data will also be made publicly available for future benchmarking of numerical models as 'CCP-WSI Test Case 014' and forms part of CCP-WSI Comparative Study 2. |
First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
Sector | Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | BP Exploration Operating Company Limited |
Organisation | BP (British Petroleum) |
Department | BP Exploration Operating Company Limited |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | research discussions |
Collaborator Contribution | research discussions |
Impact | research workshop |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Griffon Hoverwork Ltd |
Organisation | Griffon Hoverwork |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Advisory Board Member and contributions to the research |
Collaborator Contribution | provides expertise and advise in engineering of flexible membrane materials. Contributing to scale model construction, design and build. |
Impact | Conference presentations and research seminars |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Independent John Phillips |
Organisation | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. |
Department | Philips |
Country | Global |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | research discussions |
Collaborator Contribution | research discussions |
Impact | research workshops |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | NREL (Nat Renewable Energy Laboratory) |
Organisation | U.S. Department of Energy |
Department | National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) |
Country | United States |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | collaboration on flexible wave energy concepts |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr Jochem Weber and his team contributing to discussions on DEEC tec systems for wave energy |
Impact | research presentations and meetings |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult |
Organisation | Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | research in flexible wave energy systems |
Collaborator Contribution | discussion and insight |
Impact | research workshops |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Single Buoy Moorings Inc. |
Organisation | Single Buoy Mooring Inc |
Country | Switzerland |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | research discussions |
Collaborator Contribution | research discussions |
Impact | research workshop |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Wave Energy Scotland |
Organisation | Wave Energy Scotland |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | research discussions |
Collaborator Contribution | research discussions |
Impact | research workshop |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | All Energy 2023 - SEC Glasgow |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Exhibition stand at the All Energy 2023 conference and exhibition |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://supergen-ore.net/events/all-energy-exhibition-and-conference-2024 |
Description | Attendance at BASM-WEC Workshop at the University of Strathclyde |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A workshop for the wave energy project BASM-WEC at the University of Strathclyde |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Devon County Show |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Exhibition stand at the Devon County Show, providing information to the general public on ORE technology |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://supergen-ore.net/events/the-devon-county-show |
Description | EWTEC Conference Side-event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Side-event workshop on Wave Energy held at the EWTEC Conference in Plymouth UK September 2021 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Flexwave Kick-off meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Flexwave Project Kick-off meeting and workshop |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Flexwave Project Workshop Oxford |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Project workshop; presentations from project team and external partners |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Flexwave Workshop March 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Project Workshop with project partners from industry, academia and government bodies in UK and US |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | PRIMaRE Conference 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation of a poster at the PRIMaRE conference, 27-28 Jul., Bath, U.K. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Project Meeting Plymouth May 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Project Meeting |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Supergen Assembly Wave Energy Workshop Jan 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | Supergen Assembly Wave Energy Workshop Jan 2022 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |