The NHP-WEC project aims to advance data-driven monitoring and control in connection to both device technology and sea state predictions for WEC arrays, combining the TALOS technologies of Lancaster University (LU) and the SmarWave technologies of University of Hull (UoH). The NHP-WEC project aims to optimise the design of the wave energy converter and the PTO system (TALOS) in response to time-varying inputs from waves (SmartWave). as such, the operational conditions, including wave characteristics, must be quantified to estimate dynamic loads, constraining manufacturing techniques and materials, so to improve wave energy production as well as the survivability of the wave energy system.
TALOS wave energy converter (LU):
The research proposed is simultaneously generic while significantly contributing to the development of a concept device that has shown potential, namely the multi-axis TALOS that has been developed and tank tested at Lancaster University.
TALOS is a novel multi-axis moving parts, and the internal PTO system is made up of an inertial mass (a ball) with hydraulic cylinders that attach it to the hull. The motion of the ball moves the hydraulic cylinders causing them to pump hydraulic fluid through a circuit, thus to generate electricity i.e. an inertial mass PTO approach.
Key strengths of TALOS device include:
- Fully enclosed wave energy converter, so to avoid the harsh sea environments on the energy conversion system;
- The arrangement of the rams allows for the ball to move in multiple directions, allowing energy to be captured from multiple degrees of freedom;
- The flow of hydraulic fluid will change as the ball’s motion changes, so an internal hydraulic smoothing circuit is utilised to regulate the output.
SmartWave (UoH):
SmartWave is a tool capable of deriving high resolution sea state conditions from satellite images using machine learning. It integrates recent advances in all-weather satellite monitoring to map and study the temporal and spatial distribution of sea surface wave characteristics.
Key strengths:
- based on a novel forecasting methodology;
- capable of resolving sea state within offshore windfarms for sector O&M logistics.