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Wave-to-Watt Modeling of Cyclorotor Wave Energy Converters: From Waves to Annual Electrical Power Generation and Loss Analysis

delete2026-06-05
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OA
AI
I
Ilias Stasinopoulos
A
Andrei Ermakov
J
John V. Ringwood
DOI:10.1109/joe.2026.3691615delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
This study presents a comprehensive wave-to-watt modeling approach for cyclorotor-based wave energy converters (WECs), enabling the first evaluation of annual electrical power generation. The approach is based on a dynamic numerical model of a cyclorotor WEC, operating in irregular waves under nonlinear model predictive control, incorporating a foil–fluid relative velocity estimator and predictor. Detailed models of the pitch actuation system and the electrical generator/motor are included to capture the complete system dynamics and associated losses. Performance is evaluated for five representative ocean regions through long-duration simulations, providing statistically robust estimates of mean annual energy yield over the last five-year period. Power loss mechanisms are quantified, including pitch actuator energy consumption, and generator efficiency.The results indicate that the proposed system achieves a maximum annual energy output of 95.29 MWh/m of hydrofoil span, with pitch actuator consumption negligible relative to the total output, while nonideal pitch actuation results in an approximately 2% reduction in power output. The proposed generator efficiency is calculated at approximately 93.34%, and a sensitivity analysis is performed on the key parameters affecting electromechanical losses. Optimization targeting electrical, rather than mechanical power generation, increases the generator output by an average of 11.09%.
Keywords:
Cyclorotor
loss analysis
performance assessment
wave energy converter (WEC)
wave-to-watt

Journal

IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering cover
IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering
IF:
5.3
Papers:
2.6K
Citations:
7.4K

Organization

M
maynooth university
Scholars:
2.6K
Papers: 2.6K
Citations: 22
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