Effect of resonance and wave reflection in semi-enclosed moonpool on performance enhancement of point absorber arrays

Abstract

This paper presents a novel means to enhance the energy generation of the wave energy converters (WECs) array by deploying it in a semi-enclosed moonpool. The resonance phenomenon in a moonpool and the wave reflection from the wall of the moonpool result in an amplification of wave amplitude thus increase the energy generation of the wave farm. The wave diffraction and radiation analyses, based on the boundary element method are used to assess the performance of the array. An array of five-point absorbers in a semi-enclosed moonpool is considered and the energy generation, interaction effect and wave climate surrounding the wave farm are investigated. The results show that the width of the moonpool opening affects the performance of the WEC array. The wave climate surrounding the moonpool platform is studied to assess the effectiveness of the moonpool platform as a floating breakwater. The results show that the proposed integrated wave farm and floating breakwater system (moonpool platform) could generate a substantial amount of wave energy and at the same time is effective in attenuating the wave forces. The characteristics of the WECs reveal that the energy generation bandwidth could be increased by deploying the WECs in the semi-enclosed moonpool.