Testing & Simulations

Laboratory Scale Tests

Towing Tank and Offshore Engineering Basin CNRC

A 1:15 scale model of the 2.5MW Atargis CycWEC was tested in several testing campaigns at the Canadian National Research Council's Towing Tank and Offshore Engineering Basin in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Both facilities offer state of the art wave making equipment, and the CycWEC model was first tested in straight crested waves in the towing tank. These tests set a new world record for power generation by a single wave energy converter, and validated earlier numerical simulations. Follow-on tests are under way in the Offshore Engineering Basin, where the CycWEC and its mooring system are being evaluated in directional and short-crested waves.

CycWEC lifted out of water

CycWEC being lowered into water

CycWEC during tank installation

CycWEC in operational position - 1

CycWEC in operational position - 2

Wave Cancellation

Wave Basin Texas A&M OTRC

Between 2011 and 2012, a CycWEC model was tested at Texas A&M’s Offshore Technology Research Center wave basin. The facility recreated real-world ocean conditions to assess performance, efficiency, and scalability. The tests evaluated the device’s response to varying wave heights and patterns, validating design choices and control strategies before advancing to larger-scale experiments.

1:100 Scale Wave Flume Experiment

A 1:100 scale model of the CycWEC was tested in a wave flume to study wave termination and energy absorption under controlled conditions. The experiment evaluated the device’s dynamic response, efficiency, and stability. Results confirmed the CycWEC’s ability to capture wave energy effectively and validated its core design principles before larger-scale testing.

Laboratory and Full Scale Simulations

Potential Flow

Potential flow simulations model the CycWEC under idealized, inviscid conditions, capturing detailed wave-device interactions. These analyses allow engineers to optimize hydrofoil shapes, predict energy absorption across different wave conditions, and understand performance limits. The results provide essential insights for scaling the technology and ensuring reliable utility-level power generation.

Wave Radiation

Wave radiation simulations study how the CycWEC’s motion generates secondary waves and influences surrounding sea states. These analyses help predict overall system performance, assess potential environmental impacts, and inform optimal spacing, alignment, and layout strategies for future wave farm deployments, ensuring energy capture is maximized and interactions between devices are well managed.

Navier Stokes CFD

Navier-Stokes CFD simulations capture complex, real-world fluid dynamics around the CycWEC, including turbulence, viscosity, and non-linear flow effects. These high-fidelity models validate the design, refine control strategies, and ensure reliable operation. The results confirm that the CycWEC can achieve high energy capture under a wide range of realistic ocean conditions, supporting safe and efficient utility-scale deployment.