Abstract
A mathematical model is described to analyse the hydrodynamic behaviour of a wave energy farm consisting of oscillating wave surge converters in oblique waves. The method is a highly efficient semianalytical approach based on the linear potential flow theory. Wave farms with a large number of such devices are studied for various configurations. For an inline configuration with normally incident waves, the occurrence of a near-resonant behaviour, already known for small arrays, is confirmed. A strong wave focusing effect is observed in special configurations comprising a large number of devices. The effects of the arrangement and of the distance of separation between the flaps are also studied extensively. In general, the flaps lying on the front of the wave farm are found to exhibit an enhanced performance behaviour in average, owing to the mutual interactions arising within the array. A random sea analysis shows that a slightly staggered arrangement can be an ideal layout for a wave farm of this device. The hydrodynamics of two flaps that oscillate back to back is also discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 20140118 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences |
| Volume | 470 |
| Issue number | 2167 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 8 Jul 2014 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Wave energy
- Wave farm modelling
- Wave-structure interaction