Design of a water channel to model the wave conditions in the Colombian Pacific Ocean

Abstract

During the design process of an efficient wave energy converter (WEC), a crucial aspect is its performance evaluation in wave channels able to generate dynamic waves simulating the ocean conditions. This work presents the design of a water channel that simulates the wave conditions of the Pacific Ocean in Colombia. The designed channel has a rectangular cross-section with width, length and depth equal to 0.49 m, 7.35 m and 1.47 m, respectively. In the channel, the steepness ratio can vary from 0.0134 to 0.544 for a wavelength of 1.47 m. Additionally, the channel was computationally modelled in order to know the behaviour of the waves generated. In this regard, an efficient WEC able to take profit of the Colombia's capacity for producing electricity from waves is feasible, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases and, therefore, to sustainable development.