For an Australian wave energy developer a virtual prototype of their point absorber was developed for rapid design optimization and energy yield predictions.
DynaSim was asked to develop a virtual prototype to analyse the performance of a point absorber system for the harvesting of wave energy from the ocean waves. Based on the principles of hydrodynamics, the loading and power conversion of the buoy were modelled in Matlab. This was combined with a hydraulic system and displayed in a dedicated graphical user interface.
Measured wave buoy data was used to characterize the local sea conditions and use as input for the virtual prototype. This allowed structural wave loading and annual energy yield to be determined.
