Diffraction and Radiation of Water Waves by a Heaving Absorber in Front of a Bottom-Mounted, V-shaped Breakwater of Infinite Length

Dimitrios N Konispoliatis,Spyridon A Mavrakos

doi:10.3390/jmse9080833

Dimitrios N Konispoliatis, Spyridon A Mavrakos

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9080833

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Abstract

In the present study, the problems of diffraction and radiation of water waves by a cylindrical heaving wave energy converter (WEC) placed in front of a reflecting V-shaped vertical breakwater are formulated. The idea conceived is based on the possible exploitation of amplified scattered and reflected wave potentials originating from the presence of V-shaped breakwater, towards increasing the WEC’s wave power absorption due to the wave reflections. An analytical solution based on the method of images is developed in the context of linear water wave theory, taking into account the hydrodynamic interaction phenomena between the converter and the vertical wall. Numerical results are presented and discussed concerning the hydrodynamic forces on the absorber and its wave power efficiency for various examined parameters, namely, the breakwaters’ forming angle, the distance between the converter and the vertical walls and the wave heading angle. The results show that the amount of the harvested wave power by the WEC in front of the walls is amplified compared to the wave power absorbed by the same WEC in the open sea.

Highlights

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Based on the theory presented extensive computations have been carried out concerning the hydrodynamics of a wave energy converter (WEC) in front of a V-shaped breakwater of infinite length
Damping values on the WEC’s performance, the B pto term is assumed to be constant to the wave conditions

Summary

Introduction

The rise in the electricity demand from coastal communities and the availability of wave energy sources have boosted the growth of the global wave energy market. The wave energy market is projected to reach USD 107 million by 2025 from an estimated market size of USD 44 million in 2020, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.3% during the forecast period [1]. The main challenge, for the offshore renewable industry is to reduce the construction, installation and maintenance costs for WECs, ensuring operational efficiency, fatigue resistance and structural integrity during severe environmental conditions. The installation and operation of marine renewables near- and onshore is a preferred choice for wave energy absorption, reducing in parallel the levelized cost of energy. The combination of wave energy devices with existing maritime facilities such as a breakwater or a harbor is triggered by easier electricity transmission to the mainland allowing for common infrastructure (i.e., electrical cable; power transfer equipment, etc.)

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