The EPSRC NHP-WEC project is the Novel High-Performance Wave energy converter, with advanced control, reliability and survivability systems through machine-learning and forecasting, with the following objectives:
- Concept optimisation – Parameterize hydrodynamic behaviour due to the WEC geometry and PTO design to refine, optimise and maximise performance.
- Operational systems – Investigate and implement sensors and actuators required to develop a condition monitoring system that will improve reliability and survivability, and control methods for the multi-axis PTO system advancing overall conversion efficiency.
- Resource forecasting – Develop machine-learning based forecasting tools to provide both short-term accurate predictions for the operational systems and long-term energy yield predictions for the device across various deployment sites.
- Device deployment potential – Develop a wave-to-wire model to determine the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) at given sites, for both standalone devices and arrays, quantifying the TRL financial baseline performance essential to stimulate commercialisation.
- Marine wave energy development – Develop industrial input and research impact objective, including dissemination and showcasing of all the outputs, to ensure that not only one technology develops but that the solutions proposed will benefit the wider energy community.
To achieve the goals of the project, 4 work packages are proposed in the project:
WP1: Concept Optimisation
- WP1.1 Experimental and numerical hydrodynamic analysis
- WP1.2 Geometric Optimisation
- WP1.3 Power Take-Off Design
WP2: Survivability, Reliability and Optimised Control of Devices in the Marine Environment
- WP2.1 Smart Sensor and Data Acquisition Framework
- WP2.2 Intelligent Condition Monitoring
- WP2.3 Predictive Maintenance
- WP2.4 Optimised Control Strategy
WP3: Sea State Forecasting and Resource Evaluation
- WP3.1 Resource Characterisation
- WP3.2 WEC Efficiency Calculations in Wave Tanks
- WP3.3 Array Effects
WP4: Validation and Cost of Energy
- WP4.1 Validation and Demonstration
- WP4.2 Array Deployment
- WP4.3 Levelised Cost of Energy