A CFD-based wave-to-wire model for the oscillating water column wave energy Convertor

Abstract

The construction of the prototype OWC plant proposed development requirements of the wave-to-wire model for the overall performance predictions, which should balance the computational cost and accuracy. In this study, a CFD-based wave-to-wire model was developed to couple the air chamber and air turbine. The steady numerical model was employed to derive the relationship between the air pressure drop and the incident airflow velocity, which was induced to the air chamber model in the numerical wave tank using the porous zone module. The numerical predictions on the free surface elevation and air pressure variation in the chamber, the torque output of the turbine in regular and irregular wave scenarios, and the efficiencies were validated by the experimental data. By considering the air compressibility, the wave-to-wire model was employed to predict the performance of the 500 kW Yongsoo prototype plant. The interaction mechanism among energy converting processes and the overall performance of the plant under the real-sea condition were carefully analyzed and reported.