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Geometry optimisation of wave energy converters
You can join online here: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_OTkwNTUzZjYtODU0ZC00ZDIxLThjZWItMjIwZTkxZTRjMjY4%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22cc95de1b-97f5-4f93-b4ba-fe68b852cf91%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22e6ced614-5673-458c-832d-5d4ada66f593%22%7d
Wave energy has the theoretical potential to meet global electricity demand, but it remains less mature and less cost-competitive than wind or solar power. A key barrier is the absence of engineering convergence on an optimal wave energy converter (WEC) design. In this work, I demonstrate how geometry optimisation can deliver step-change improvements in WEC performance. I present methodology and results from optimisations of two types of WECs: an axisymmetric point-absorber WEC and a top-hinged WEC. I show how the two types need different optimisation frameworks due to the differing physics of how they make waves. For axisymmetric WECs, optimisation achieves a 69% reduction in surface area (a cost proxy) while preserving power capture and motion constraints. For top-hinged WECs, optimisation reduces the reaction moment (another cost proxy) by 35% with only a 12% decrease in power. These result show that geometry optimisation can substantially improve performance and reduce costs of WECs.
Date:
4 December 2025, 12:00
Venue:
Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Venue Details:
L3
Speakers:
Speaker to be announced
Organiser:
Alain Goriely (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address:
Kirkham@maths.ox.ac.uk
Part of:
Industrial & Applied Mathematics Seminar
Booking required?:
Not required
Cost:
Free
Audience:
Public
Editor:
Nicola Kirkham
