Research on Resonance Point Tracking Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K14965
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 24020:Marine engineering-related
• Research Institution: Ashikaga University
• Principal Investigator: Iino Mitsumasa 足利大学, 工学部, 講師 (60781961)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 波力発電 / 振動水柱型波力発電 / 水槽実験 / 一次変換部 / 振動工学 / 海洋エネルギー / 振動水柱型 / 運動方程式

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research proposes a novel concept for oscillating water column wave energy converter "Resonance Point Tracking Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter," in whitch the direction of the water column's motion changes midway. As a result, the equation of motion of the oscillating water column, whose inclination angle and cross-sectional area changes, is derived. And an estimation formula for the resonance period based on the equation. It has been possible to predict the resonance period, which changes according to the inclination angle, cross-sectional area, and water depth, with an accuracy of within 10%. Furthermore, it has been revealed that the Resonance Point Tracking Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter can lengthen the resonance period by more than 30% even at the same water depth compared to traditional vertical wave power generation, however the water surface does not reach the inclined part, it has the same resonance period as the vertical type.

Free Research Field

機械工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

従来の振動水柱型波力発電は設計水深における一意の共振特性を想定して設計されていたが、水位により急激に共振周期の変化する共振点追従型波力発電においては、たとえば潮位の変化を事前に取得すれば、その環境に合わせた設計最適化も可能である。つまり、本研究は波力発電の効率向上の新たな検討の方向性を示すものでもある。この成果により、振動水柱型波力発電の効率向上や低コスト化が期待され、さらには波力エネルギーの実用化により脱炭素社会の構築に対しても有意義である。