Colloquia

Summary

To reduce dependence on fossil fuels, the European Union has set ambitious targets for ocean energy, aiming to deploy 1 GW of wave and tidal energy installations by 2030 and increase this goal to 40 GW by 2050. One approach to harnessing this energy is through Hydrokinetic Energy Converters (HECs), designed to capture kinetic energy from flowing water in rivers, tides, and ocean currents.

With support from EU funding, various research institutions and companies are developing diverse systems, including turbines, kites, and oscillating systems, to effectively capture this kinetic energy. This thesis presents a novel oscillating system designed to facilitate large-scale and cost-effective electricity production.

The primary objectives of this research are twofold. Firstly, it aims to determine how to maximize the power coefficient of the system, defined as the ratio between the extracted power and the available power in the flow. Secondly, the research seeks to quantify the conversion of kinetic energy from the flow into electricity, taking into account factors such as the system's size and the available flow velocity of the water.

The thesis begins with a literature review, providing insights into existing HEC designs. Subsequently, analytical equations describing the concept are developed to identify key parameters driving the system, and to calculate its maximum theoretical power output. To gain further understanding, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses are conducted to explore specific driving parameters.

Moreover, a theoretical model using Simulink is constructed to investigate the impact of design parameters on the oscillating motion of the system. Wind tunnel tests are performed to gain insights into specific subcomponents. Finally, an experimental setup is made, and tests are performed in a towing tank at MARIN. These towing tank tests feature a fully functional system, serving as a proof-of-concept.

In this thesis project, detailed insights are obtained regarding the factors influencing the performance of the novel HEC concept. The research identifies key design parameters, including geometric shapes, aspect ratios, and operational velocities, as well as system configurations that are critical in optimizing the power coefficient. The towing tank tests at MARIN have provided critical data on the real-world performance of the system, confirming the effectiveness of certain design choices and pinpointing areas for future improvements. This research lays the groundwork for the potential large-scale deployment of this type of oscillating hydrokinetic energy systems, offering guidelines for future developments.