Mitigating Uncertainty in the Hydrodynamic Modelling of Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converters

An ocean wave is energy in motion. A wave energy converter (WEC) is a machine that harnesses this energy and generates renewable electricity. This clean, emission free energy solution makes environmental sense, and can provide sufficient wave-powered generation of electricity to meet Australia’s current demand, but fulfilling the potential of wave energy requires overcoming technical and economic barriers. This industry-targeted research aims to remove technical barriers faced in the research and development phase of wave energy technology. A systemic suite of physical experiments in hydrodynamic testing facilities will provide data for developing procedures for (i) scaling up small-scale results, particularly relevant for the oscillating water column (OWC) WEC (Figure 1), one of the most established and versatile concepts in wave energy, and (ii) experimental uncertainty analysis to increase the quality and reliability of experimental data. We will provide unprecedented calibration and validation of these procedures using data from a full-scale ocean deployment of industry partner Wave Swell Energy’s precommercial WEC,in King Island near Tasmania, planned for 2018 (Figure2). More reliable design data and a better understanding of uncertainties in WEC experiments will improve the predictions and performance of full-scale WECs. Less uncertainty in performance predictions of a technology will enable project developers to make informed decisions on demonstrations and deployments in the ocean, crucial for the commercial development of an industry that is aiming to accelerate the sustainable energy future.