1,2,- 1School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
- 2Department of Ocean Engineering, College of Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
- 3Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, 316021, China
- 4Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
- 5Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao 266237, China
The increasing demand for renewable energy, driven by the urgent need to mitigate climate change and achieve net-zero emissions, has highlighted ocean energy as one of the most sustainable and promising resources. Wave energy converters (WECs) are pivotal technologies for harnessing marine wave power, providing substantial environmental benefits by reducing dependence on environmentally harmful, non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels. Efficient wave energy utilization holds significant potential to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. To minimize ecological disruptions while preserving marine biodiversity, various innovative WEC concepts have been proposed. Among them, flexible wave energy converters (FlexWECs) attract great attention due to their lightweight deformable structures and reduced construction costs, significantly resulting in a lower environmental impact than traditional rigid-body WECs. Furthermore, the flexible design of FlexWECs enables adaptation to diverse environmental scenarios, enhancing energy extraction efficiency.
In contrast to rigid-body WECs, FlexWECs are characterized by their rubber-like, deformable structures, allowing broadband power absorption and simpler WEC designs. Recent trends in device development have focused on FlexWECs, where primary energy-absorbing components, power take-off (PTO) systems, and other subcomponents are constructed flexibly. Over 20 FlexWEC devices have been developed to date, most of which are still in the concept or laboratory test stages, indicating substantial potential for further development and research. Among these, deformable airbag-based converters and flexible membrane systems stand out for their adaptability and energy absorption capability. Leveraging flexible materials that can deform in response to varying wave conditions, these devices are capable of effectively capturing wave energy across a broad range of frequencies.
As a key contributor to wave energy research and the development of FlexWECs, the University of Plymouth has made significant strides in promoting more adaptable, resilient, and environmentally sustainable wave energy solutions. This study focuses on a deformable airbag-based FlexWEC, engineered to optimize wave energy capture by adjusting its form in response to ocean conditions. Using high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, the research explores the airbag’s dynamic behaviour under wave interaction, primarily analyzing multi-physics fluid-structure interactions (FSI) within a multiphase setting. The study examines essential relationships between structural deformation, hydrodynamic response, and energy capture efficiency, aiming to illuminate the underlying interaction mechanisms between wave energy devices and waves. Building on these insights, this research provides valuable perspective on the development of novel FlexWECs that harness renewable marine energy while minimizing environmental impact, achieving a balance between sustainable ocean resource utilization and the preservation of marine ecosystems.
Keywords: Renewable marine energy; Environmental benefits; Preservation of marine ecosystems; Flexible wave energy converters; Fluid-structure interactions
How to cite: Lu, Q., Greaves, D., Zheng, S., Hann, M., Shi, H., and Meng, X.: Environmental Benefits of Flexible Wave Energy Converters: A Novel Investigation of Airbag-Based Device, One Ocean Science Congress 2025, Nice, France, 3–6 Jun 2025, OOS2025-17, https://doi.org/10.5194/oos2025-17, 2025.
