Wave power assessment for electricity generation with powerbouy system by wave motion emulation modelling

Among different technologies, the Wave Energy Conversion (WEC) represents an efficient, clean and sustainable source for generating electricity, however creating distributed generation plants with Wave Energy Potential (WEP) necessitates extremely careful estimation. Therefore, a new model using five components of Fourier series has been presented for WEP estimation. The model helps reduce the imprecision in the wave estimation due to the time resolution of wave data, permits to emulate the buoy movement when a wave reaches it (hydrodynamics studies), facilitates in the emulation of the linear electric generator magnets movement located inside a powerbouy system (electromagnetic simulations) and helps obtain the correct generated voltage curve shapes and power quality with the aim of designing and selecting the electrical components to connect the microgrid by wave power to the power system. The model is a function of significant height and periodicity of the waves and offers an evidence for a better WEP estimation. Irregular wave profile is very important to predict the voltage and power quality supplied by the powerbouy. When the irregular wave profile is ignored, WEP estimations could exceed 90% and produce false expectations of electric power generation and incorrect sizing of electric components for the microgrid by wave power. Thus, true WEP estimation can prove to be a good investment decision tool to develop wave energy plants. For proposed model validation, the results of an assessment of wave energy in 25 different geographic coordinates of the Mexican coast, based on wave motion profile, suggest that the Mexican Pacific side is suitable for wave power plant development, 100-500 kW for each installed powerbouy in such points. Consequently, this work contributes to obtaining new techniques in WEP estimation based on wave parameters in order to get electrical parameters for true electrical power. Thus, search for technological development for the electrical equipment is required to install for its harvest in wave microgrid system.

Automated summary

A new model using Fourier series components has been proposed for Wave Energy Potential (WEP) estimation, reducing inaccuracies and ensuring correct expectations of electric power generation and component sizing. Accurate WEP estimation can be a valuable investment decision tool for wave energy plant development.