Session: 09-02-01 Wave Energy: Hydrodynamics 1

Paper Number: 127861

127861 - Hydrodynamic Performance Assessment of the Corpower C4 Wave Energy Converter Under Survival Wave Climates 

Evaluating wave energy converters (WECs) in controlled laboratory conditions is a crucial stage in their transition to real-world marine environments and commercial viability. This study focuses on the CorPower Ocean Ltd's latest single-mooring point absorber wave energy converter (WEC), the CorPower C4. The structural response of this device is examined under a various sea conditions using a 1:25 scale model at the FloWave Ocean Energy Research Facility, University of Edinburgh.

The experiment encompasses the utilization of regular waves, random waves, and focused NewWaves to study the hydrodynamics behaviour of the CorPower C4. The wave conditions represented survival scenarios and hence no power take off was implemented.  An array of wave probes were deployed at predefined locations around the scale model in FloWave and wave elevations measured.  A Qualisys camera system measured the six components motion responses of the WEC at its water line and a 6 component load cells measured forces and moments on the whole model including its mooring system .

This article provides comprehensive insights into the model setup, parameters, experimental procedures, data and analysis of results, and in-depth discussions. It contributes to a deeper comprehension of the performance of the CorPower C4 point-suction Wave Energy Converter in survival wave conditions, offering valuable guidance for potential structural enhancements and strategies for efficient commercial operation and maintenance.

Presenting Author: Vengatesan Venugopal Edinburgh University

Presenting Author Biography: Professor Vengatesan Venugopal holds a personal chair in ocean engineering at the University of Edinburgh. He was the former head of the institute for energy systems from Dec’2019 - Mar’2023, which is one of the seven research institutes within the school of engineering at Edinburgh University.
He received a Bachelor of Technology degree in Civil Engineering in 1991 from Pondicherry University, India; a Master of Technology in Ocean Engineering in 1994 from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, India; and a PhD in Ocean Engineering in 2002 from the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom. Venugopal joined the University of Edinburgh as Lecturer in Ocean Renewables in 2005. His research interests include numerical modelling of wave and tide propagation in ocean and bay scale, physical modelling of waves and tides in laboratory and their interaction with offshore energy structures, wave and tidal power resource modelling, arrays of wave and tidal energy devices modelling, interaction of wave–current-turbulence modelling, analysis of extreme waves, offshore floating wind turbines, dynamic power cables, climate change modelling, environmental impact modelling of energy structures, and coastal engineering. He has been Principal/Co-Investigator for a number of research projects, with values about ~£20 million, funded by the Scottish Funding Council, Health and Safety Offshore Division, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, European Commission, UKIERI, British Council, and UK Industries. To date, he has supervised 18 post-docs, 33 PhD researchers, 7 Engineering Doctorate (EngD) researchers, 1 MPhil and 1 MSc by research. Venugopal has published more than 180 peer reviewed journal and conference articles. He is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE).

Authors:

Vengatesan Venugopal Edinburgh University
Tian Tan Institute for Energy Systems, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh