Scaled wave energy device performance evaluation through high resolution wave tank testing

Abstract

This paper presents the high-precision wave tank testing of Columbia Power Technologies' (COLUMBIA POWER's) 1:15 scale wave energy device in Oregon State University's (OSU's) large wave flume. Wave energy converter (WEC) testing in the OSU O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory (HWRL), in collaboration with the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC) headquartered at OSU, includes state-of-the-art optical motion tracking and data acquisition developed to facilitate the optimization of wave energy devices to efficiently convert the motion of ocean waves into electrical energy. This paper includes the high resolution wave tank testing process, and example performance results.