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Faculty of Graduate Studies

Luke Seybold

  • B.Sc. (University of California at Berkeley, 2023)

Notice of the Final Oral Examination for the Degree of Master of Applied Science

Topic

Simulated Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm Optimization of a Wave Energy Converter Pneumatic Power Take-Off System

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Date & location

  • Friday, September 4, 2026

  • 10:30 A.M.

  • MacLaurin Building

  • Room D202c

Reviewers

Supervisory Committee

  • Dr. Brad Buckham, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria (Supervisor)

  • Dr. Henning Struchtrup, Department of Mechanical Engineering, UVic (Member) 

External Examiner

  • Ryan Coe, Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, Virginia Tech 

Chair of Oral Examination

  • Dr. Shailoo Bedi, Learning and Teaching Innovation, UVic

     

Abstract

As the world faces increasing pressure to lessen reliance on fossil fuels for environmental and geopolitical reasons, technologies harnessing renewable energy sources have become critical investments for the future. While examples such as solar and wind grow evermore economically competitive with fossil fuels, like all renewable energy their output is intermittent and must be supported by any means necessary. Wave energy converters (WECs) present an opportunity to fill these gaps, particularly in remote coastal communities without access to the electrical grid that are currently reliant on highly polluting diesel generators.

The Ocean Buoy Array System (OBAS) developed by Accumulated Ocean Energy Inc. (AOE) is a series of three interconnected WECs, each with power take-off (PTO) systems that compress air from one to the next. The air is held in a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system where it can be delivered to an onshore electrical generator for energy production or used for a number of other purposes. Despite its potential to deliver over 100 kW of power in high energy sea-states, the OBAS remains inoperative when waves do not provide it with enough energy to develop sufficient pressures for electricity generation. The Pacific Northwest coast rarely experiences these high energy sea-states in the summer, causing the OBAS to lie dormant for much of the year.

Through design optimization of its PTO compression cylinder lengths, end-stop locations, orifice areas and release pressures, the OBAS is simulated to increase average power output by 9.6 times to 61.3 kW in simulations of summer wave conditions, and by 2.7 times to 143.0 kW in simulations of winter wave conditions. In consideration of end-stop damage, the device was also optimized to reduce average end-stop forces by 83.33% and 53.47% in winter and summer wave conditions respectively. Being that these design parameters can be physically altered on a seasonal basis, such modifications would result in significantly greater year-round performance of the OBAS. Beyond its contributions to this specific system, the optimization framework developed in this work holds the potential to inform condition-specific design of any wave energy converter.

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