Experimental evaluation of attenuator WEC in a laboratory wave tank

The marine and ocean energies are part of renewable energy that Wave energy converters (WECs) are used to extract them. Experimental modeling will be useful in evaluating their performance. In this research, the experimental model of an attenuator WEC is built in the Sea-Based Energy Research Group of the Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, and its performance is studied and evaluated in the wave tank of the university by applying the sea waves conditions. In this evaluation, the effects of wave amplitude and wave period on the average and maximum net power of the Wavestar system are investigated. According to the results, it was observed that in larger wave amplitudes (13 to 15), at 35 and 25 rpm, the maximum net power was close to each other and was 36.7 (Watts) and 31(Watts), respectively. Due to the irregular wave and possible damage to the system at 35 rpm, the wave amplitude of 15 and the speed of 25 rpm are chosen as the optimal mode for better performance of the system.