Renewable Energy-II
Ques. Wave Energy Calculations
“The utilization factor for wave power – the ratio of yearly energy production to the
installed power of the equipment – is typically 2 times higher than that of wind power. That
is whereas for example a wind power plant only delivers energy corresponding to full power
during 25% of the time (i.e. 2,190 h out of the 8,760 h per year) a wave power plant is
expected to deliver 50% (4,380 h/year).” While we know that wave power is more energy
dense than wind power and produces power for a larger percentage of the year, we still do
not know how to calculate the power available from a wave. This is important for the design
process of a wave energy converter. First, the power and forces acting on the device should
be assessed, and then the device may be sized for the desired energy output.
Ques. Wave Energy and Power
Ans.: The following analysis describes a wave’s energy and power characteristics.
Symbols Variables
Edensity: wave energy density [J/m2]
SWL: mean seawater level (surface)
Ewavefront energy per meter wave front [J/m]
Pdensity: wave power density [W/m2]
Pwavefrot: power per meter wave front
[W/m]
H: depth below SWL [m]
ω: wave frequency [rad/sec]
λ (or L): wavelength [m] = gT2/(2π)
ρ: water seawater density [1000
kg/m3]
g: gravitational constant [9.81 m/s2]
A: wave amplitude [m]
H: wave height [m]
T: wave period [s]
C: Elerity Cell (wave front velocity)
[m/s]
Ques. Reason for Ocean Waves
Ans.: Ocean waves may develop for various reasons-
1. The wind,
2. The passage of a ship,
3. The attractive forces of moon and sun,
4. Earthquakes or volcanic explosions beneath the oceans etc. The most common reason for the development of
waves is wind. Wave motions in water is roughly divided into two groups: (1) Tidal Waves ( L>> d ) and( 2)
Surface Waves (L << d ). Where, L=Wave length, d=Water depth
Fig. Wave Nomenclature
Ques. Relationship among Velocity, Wave Length and Time Period-
Ans.: According to the classical wave theory, these various characteristics are related by the following
equations:
If one characteristic is known, the others can be computed. When the foot-pound-second system of units is
employed, the following expressions are observed.
Where, V = Speed of the Wave, L = Wave Length and T = Time Period.
Ques. Classification of the Categories of the Ocean Wave Energy:
Ans.: There are three main categories that wave power can be split into, these are:
1) Near Shore
2) At Shore
3) Off Shore
Ques. Wave Braking in the Ocean
Fig. Wave Breaking
Ques. Causes of Wave Braking:
Ans.:
1.H/L=Slope of the wave=1/7
2.d/H=1.3
3.Angle of wave=120 degree.
For Deep water waves: d>L/2
For Shallow waves: d/L<1/20
For Shallow waves: V=3Ld1/2
Ques. Types of Wave Breaking
Ans.: There are three types of Wave Breakings: (1)Spilling breaker wave (2)Plunging
breaker wave (3)Surging breaker wave.
(1)Spilling breaker wave: Plunge line, H=d Surf zone: distance between plunge line and coast
line
(2)Plunging breaker wave: Vwb = Vwc , Where Vwb = Velocity of Wave body and Vwc =
Velocity of Wave crest. For this case
Vwb < Vwc
(3)Surging breaker wave: For this case
Vwb = Vwc
Ques. Classification of Water depth
Ans.:
Ques. Current Wave Energy Technology
Ans.: According to the DTI, there are three types of wave energy collector[34]. These are:
1. Buoyant Moored Device
2. Hinged Contour Device
3. Oscillating Water Column
Ques. Different Types of Wave Energy Converters:
Ans.:
1. Pelamis Wave Energy Converter (PWEC)/Sea Snake
Fig.4 Pelamis/Sea Snake
2. Land Installed Marine Power Energy Transformer (LIMPET)
Fig.5 LIMPET
3. Floating Wave Power Vessel (FWPV)
Fig.6 FWPV
4. Stingray Tidal Stream Generator (STSG)
Fig.7 STSG
Ques. Social Implications of Tidal Power
Ans.: Tidal Streams are common in remote areas. This means that careful consideration of the
wishes of the local community is required to ensure the scheme can work to its potential[52-
80]. Being under water avoids aesthetic problems and shipping and navigation should not be
affected provided it is taken into consideration when planning. The scheme can provide
employment during construction and operation, which will add to the local economic
prosperity [81-89].
Ques. America’s Premiere Wave Power Farm Sets Sail
Ans.: Wave energy is among the impressive list of renewable energy resources that is
being developed in the United States.New Jersey-based developer, Ocean Power
Technologies has launched a project that features the nation’s first commercial wave power
farm off the coast of Reedsport, Oregon. Once the project is completed, wave energy will
generate power for several hundred homes in Oregon.The wave power farm operates on the
wave energy that is created[34-51].
Fig.8 Tidal Power Extraction Device
Ques. How much power can you get from a wave?
Ans.: Linear wave theory assumes that the motion of the water past a point is sinusoidal. The
period (T) for one wave to pass this point can be expressed by:
Where, λ = wavelength (m) and g = gravity = 9.81 ms-2
The power contained in the wave can be expressed in terms of the length of the wave
(kW/m). This is given by the following equation[90-100]:
Where, a = Wave Amplitude (m)
Ques. Wave power formula
Ans.: In deep water where the water depth is larger than half the wavelength, the wave energy flux is[60] :
with P the wave energy flux per unit of wave-crest length, Hm0 the significant wave height, T
the wave period, ρ the water density and g the acceleration due to gravity. The above formula
states that wave power is proportional to the wave period and to the square of the wave
height. When the significant wave height is given in meters, and the wave period in seconds,
the result is the wave power in kilowatts (kW) per meter of wave front length [100-120]
