Hybrid linear potential flow - machine learning model for enhanced prediction of WEC performance

Numerical models based on the linear potential flow equations are of paramount importance in the design of wave energy converters (WECs). Over the years methods such as wave stretching, nonlinear Froude-Krylov and Morrison drag have been developed to overcome the short-comings of the underlying assumptions of small amplitude wave, small motion and inviscous flow. In this work we present a different approach to enhance the performance of the linear method: a hybrid linear potential flow – machine learning (LPF-ML) model. A hierarchy of high-fidelity models – Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes, Euler and fully nonlinear potential flow – is used to create training data for correction factors targeting nonlinear hydrodynamics, pressure drag and skin friction, respectively. Long short-term memory (LSTM) networks are then trained and added to the LPF model. LSTM networks are heavy to train but fast to evaluate so the computational efficiency of the LPF model is kept high. Simple decay tests of generic bodies (sphere, box, etc) are used to validate the LPF-ML model. Finally, the LPF-ML is applied to a model-scale point-absorber WEC to assess the power production.