An optimization model of buoy dimension of wave energy converter is established by using differential evolution algorithm. The linear potential flow method is used in hydrodynamic calculation. Taking the vertical oscillating cylindrical buoy as the research object, the radius and draft of the buoy are optimized under each specified volume. Through the comparison of different volume optimization results, it is found that there is an optimal buoy volume for a specific wave condition. With the increase of the volume, the optimal draft tends to a fixed value, and the optimal radius tends to be an asymptote. In addition, the influence of different damping of power take-off systems on the optimization results is also studied.
INTRODUCTION
Wave energy is a kind of renewable and clean energy. The development and utilization of wave energy is attracting the attention of many scholars and research institutions around the world, which may make a significant contribution to the world' power consumption. For the commercial feasibility of wave energy, it is very important to improve the production efficiency of wave energy device and reduce its construction, installation and operation costs. Obviously, the volume of the Wave Energy Converter (WEC) is a key factor affecting both the efficiency and the cost. De Andres et al. (2015) discussed that small equipment is usually more economical due to reduced material costs and deployment. Göteman et al. (2014) and Göteman (2017) showed that the total power production can be improved if the wave energy array consists of devices of different dimensions that are similar to the WECs that have been developed at Uppsala University since 2006 (Leijon et al.,2009). Most previous optimal studies focus on the buoy dimensions instead of the buoy volume. For example, Giassi and Göteman (2017) optimized the parameters of the single wave energy converter by parameter sweep optimization of the variables and genetic algorithm, in which the radius, draft and damping of the Power Take Off (PTO) systems are optimized simultaneously in discrete parameter space. Because there are many combinations of radius and draft under a certain volume even for a truncated cylinder buoy, it' difficult to get the relationship between the volume and the efficiency directly. That means the designer couldn't balance the cost and the efficiency with the optimal dimensions.
