Wave energy converters with rigid hull encapsulation: A review

Authors

Mahmodul Hasan Maheen, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Yingchen Yang, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2023

Abstract

Highlights

• WECs with rigid hull encapsulation are water-tight and robust.

• Diverse internally embedded power take-off designs are summarized.

• Various mechanisms and strategies for frequency tuning are formulated.

• Typical WEC testing methods are discussed.

• Some future research considerations are suggested.

Abstract

Ocean wave energy has a great potential in mitigating energy and sustainability crises of the 21st century. The lack of mature and cost-competitive wave energy converter (WEC) technologies, however, has become a major roadblock for WEC products entering the marketplace. A harsh ocean environment, which includes extreme waves, strong biological activities, and chemical transformations, adds to the maintenance cost and survivability of WECs. Among various types of WEC technologies, WECs with rigid hull encapsulation offer an effective means against such environmental challenges. Using a sole rigid hull to encapsulate an entire WEC except for power cables and mooring lines, the hull creates a robust and watertight protection to the WEC and permits a relatively simple WEC design. This review provides a comprehensive analysis on existing WEC technologies employing such rigid hull encapsulation. The review topics cover technologies and working principles, power generation mechanisms, control strategies, mooring schemes, experimental studies, as well as technology readiness levels and development trends. Some future research considerations are suggested in addressing some common challenges. As an effort to present a global view of this particular type of WECs, the review is expected to benefit future WEC developments employing rigid hull encapsulation.

Comments

Original published version available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2023.103273

Recommended Citation

Maheen, Mahmodul Hasan, and Yingchen Yang. "Wave energy converters with rigid hull encapsulation: A review." Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments 57 (2023): 103273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2023.103273

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Publication Title

Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments

DOI

10.1016/j.seta.2023.103273