The LUPA is a two-body point absorber WEC consisting of a surface float, which is primarily buoyancy driven, and spar reaction heave plate. It has a highly controllable power-take-off (PTO) that utilizes the relative motion between the float and heave plate and a linear-to- rotary mechanical system to drive the on-board generator. The LUPA was designed to be an open-source wave energy converter with modular components for experimental validation of hydrodynamic models, control systems, PTO designs, and hull and heave plate geometries. It has three modes of operation that allow for varying complexity: 1) A single float, heaving WEC; 2) A two-body, heaving WEC; and 3) A two-body, six degree-of-freedom WEC.
Many metrics frequently used in wave energy literature inherently include significant uncertainty (e.g. Capture Width Ratio CWR) yet are generally reported and published as single absolute variables. Utilizing the CWR example, the incident wave energy denominator is subject to significant uncertainty and dependence on WEC shape and wave characteristics. Uncertainty in wave energy testing measurements is underexplored and, once validated, the LUPA provides a great opportunity to quantify some of these uncertainties. LUPA exists to accelerate the development of wave energy by sharing lessons learned and detailing the process for testing wave energy devices, which are often underreported. Also, through large-sized WEC experimental testing, LUPA will provide a valuable open-source experimental and numerical dataset – which is lacking in the industry now.

The intended outcomes of testing the LUPA include validating numerical models, refining hydrodynamic coefficients, and quantifying uncertainty in WEC performance metrics – across three LUPA operating modes.

This project was supported during RFTS 7.