![]() ![]() Consequently, guidelines for developing wave energy converters (WECs) are still developing themselves, especially around experimental uncertainty analysis (UA). Ocean wave energy has significant technical potential but limited full-scale deployments and technology convergence. An experimental campaign with a five-WEC array is under preparation at the moment of writing. Within the “WECfarm” project, two experimental campaigns were performed at the Aalborg University wave basin: (a) a testing of the first WEC in April 2021 and (b) a testing of a two-WEC array in February 2022. Wave basin testing includes long- and short-crested waves and extreme wave conditions, representing real sea conditions. The WEC array control and data acquisition are realised with a Speedgoat Performance real-time target machine, offering the possibility to implement advanced WEC array control strategies in the MATLAB-Simulink model. The WECs are equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), addressing the need for WEC array tests with an accurate and actively controllable power take-off (PTO). This article presents the design of the “WECfarm” experimental setup, consisting of an array of five generic heaving point-absorber WECs. The identified research gaps are translated into design requirements for the “WECfarm” WEC array setup and test matrix. To cover the scientific gap of experimental data necessary for the validation of recently developed (nonlinear) numerical models for WEC arrays, Ghent University has introduced the “WECfarm” project. This article provides a literature review on the state of the art in physical modelling of point-absorber WEC arrays and the identification of research gaps. Moreover, the WEC array layout should be optimised simultaneously with the applied control strategy. Optimising the WEC array layout to obtain constructive interference within the WEC array is theoretically beneficial, whereas for wind farms, it is only important to avoid destructive interference within an array of wind turbines due to wake effects. This point-absorber WEC acts as an efficient wave absorber that is also an efficient wave generator. A point-absorber WEC consists of a floating or submerged body to capture wave energy from different wave directions. The paper concludes with a discussion summarising the findings and demonstrating the importance of understanding uncertainties, showing their potential effects on results obtained.Ĭommercial wave energy exploitation will be realised by placing multiple wave energy converters (WECs) in an array configuration. The sources of uncertainty are described, along with statistical measures used to assess their impact and ensure that model data collected is of sufficient quality to allow numerical validation. This paper describes the primary uncertainties encountered in a set of physical array tests undertaken at Queen’s University Belfast. This uncertainty may impact validation of numerical models where it is of the same order of magnitude as the array interactions to be measured. In particular, physical experiments and measurements may not be completely repeatable and reproducible. Unfortunately, physical modelling of array interactions using a wave basin is challenging due to the difficulties in replicating numerical model characteristics. Physical validation of these results using a wave basin has been identified as an urgent requirement in the wave energy industry. ![]() Much of the published literature focusing on the performance assessment of arrays of Wave Energy Converters describes work carried out in analytical and numerical domains. ![]()
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