Experimental investigation of wave reflection at a wave energy converter breakwater

Abstract

The wave energy converter breakwater innovation model with an overtopping mechanism with an impermeable single smooth slope was investigated experimentally in the laboratory. Investigations were carried out to determine how the relative freeboard and slope influence the reflection waves. This research is interesting because the main objective of this model is actually to capture overtopping waves to be collected in the reservoir and used as energy conversion, therefore besides the occurrence of wave overtopping through the model peak, one important parameter which is also interesting to know is how the effect of the relative freeboard and slope of this model to the reflection waves in front of the model. The physical model test research was conducted on a two-dimensional wave flume. The single smooth impermeable slope wave energy converter breakwater model is made of a size that can be mobilized by the flume. Several parameters of the model are varied, such as the slope angle and height of the freeboard model. In hydraulic parameters, variations such as incident wave height and wave period are also carried out. The results showed that the 1: 2 and 1: 2.5 slope models generally produce a greater reflection than the 1: 3 slope model. For the effect of the relative freeboard, it is found that the greater the value of the structure relative freeboard, the greater the wave reflection coefficient, with the range of wave reflection coefficient values obtained in this study are 0.1-0.7.