Wave Energy Capture
https://www1.chester.ac.uk/departments/natural-sciences/staff/yu-shi
the link above is the instructions of my supervisor
you can find the research field he’s working on
Background
Multifunctional composite with sensing and monitoring
Vibrational energy harvesting combined with composite was developed by Chester Smart Composite Group for both aircraft wing and offshore wind turbine blade. However, a challenge by harvesting environmental vibrations, such as ocean wave energy for powering monitoring cables of floating offshore wind turbine, and vibration for human limbs will be the main focus for this proposed PhD works. Conventionally, these wave energy absorbers are designed to operate towards a specific target frequency/velocity. However, real-world frequencies can vary across a broadband spectrum throughout the time of the day, rendering the energy absorbers extremely inefficient when operating outside its confined frequency band. This PhD research will leverage broadband mechanisms and techniques from vibration dynamics, optimise the broad-spectrum resonant oscillation of the energy absorber in fluid environments like sea wave, or the specific modes like walking or climbing, and establish an intrinsically broadband energy absorber to fundamentally improve upon the current state-of-the-art. Both experimental and computational finite element method will be applied to develop this work.
Research objective
The research focuses on such main aspects: (1) Integration of multifunctional composite (2) Mechanical-electrical design of sensing and power generation (legs), (3) Both experimental tests and numerical modelling analysis.
Skills and Knowledge
The ideal candidate for this project will have a bachelor or master degree in Mechanical, EEE engineering or Computer Science, and have studied composite material, vibration analysis, energy harvesting, finite element analysis, Matlab, signal processing, all of which are desirable but not essential.
24 Mar 2020 00:32
need to a short literature review for my PhD supervisor between 250 and 500 words on sea wave energy harvesting and monitoring of subsea cables. I can combine them in one review or just find one area on energy harvesting of sea-wave or monitoring of subsea cables. I will upload some materials related to these topics.
Wave Energy Capture
Several studies have outlined and demonstrated the sea weave energy harvesting and the monitoring of the sea cables. The researches describe the mechanism used in the extraction of energy from the sea waves. The studies align with the goals of climatic change that advocates for the increasing use of renewable energy. Therefore ocean wave is one of the sources of renewable energy that remain untapped.
Subsea cables monitoring and sea wave energy have been researched extensively. Campbell Groulx, Doman & Wright (2017), did research on the monitoring of subsea cables by the use of an orientation sensor. The research involved the deployment of the sensor package installed in the abandonment termination of the tidal transmission. The experiment involved the testing of the sensor package in a laboratory setting before it was utilized in the experiment. The measurements were made on the installed sensors. Some of the measurements carried out while investigating the concept include the baseline measurement and the measurements of the different groups of cables.
The researchers recognized that the monitoring of subsea cables is an important process for enhancing stability during the process of tidal movement. The relocation or displacement of cables may result in total damage or reduction of the lifespan of cables in a tidal environment of energy production. The research further indicated the accelerometer measurements that were carried out demonstrated the impacts due to the abandonment termination as a result of the materials that move along the seabed. Therefore, the impact of abandonment termination is an issue of concern for the subsea cables. Additionally, one of the recommended methods for carrying out the measurement is by the use of a sensor package containing Altitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) for measurement of both orientation and acceleration.
The studies have also focus on the investigation of the concept of wave energy. Leijon (2008) presented research on wave energy through the use of a wave energy converter (WEC). The convertor constitutes a synchronous generator placed under the sea bed, and a heavy point absorber located on the ocean surface is used in providing driving force. Therefore, the WEC prototype was used in the investigation of the wave energy from the North Sea. The different types of measurements were used in the study and application of parameters such as the maximum line forces, the calculation of stress levels and fatigue, which are utilized in the optimization of material. The research demonstrates how the power is extracted from the sea waves without the influence of parameters such as the amplitude level of the generator. The mechanism employed in the research utilized the non-linear power extraction, which forms different shapes of voltage as well as current pulses.
In conclusion, the studies have focused on the methods of extracting energy, such as by the use of wave energy converter. The interactions between the WEC and waves are such that the energy is converted at low velocities as well as large forces. On the other hand, the monitoring systems are used in ensuring stability and continuous operations of the cables. Technology is utilized in the process of monitoring through accurate and precise methods.
References
Campbell, S., Groulx, D., Doman, D., & Wright, T. (2017). Campbell, S., Groulx, D., Doman, D., & Wright, T. Monitoring of Subsea Cable Terminations at FORCE Tidal Turbine Test Site. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dalhousie University. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.1988201
Leijon, M., Boström, C., Danielsson, O., Gustafsson, S., Haikonen, K., Langhamer, O., … & Tyrberg, S. (2008). Wave energy from the North Sea: Experiences from the Lysekil research site. Surveys in geophysics, 29(3), 221-240.
