Hydraulic Performance of an Innovative Breakwater for Overtopping Wave Energy Conversion

Claudio Iuppa,Diego Vicinanza,Enrico Foti,Luca Cavallaro,Pasquale Contestabile

doi:10.3390/su8121226

Claudio Iuppa, Diego Vicinanza + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su8121226

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Nov 25, 2016
Citations: 45	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: CoNISMa, University of Catania

Abstract

The Overtopping BReakwaterfor Energy Conversion (OBREC) is an overtopping wave energy converter, totally embedded in traditional rubble mound breakwaters. The device consists of a reinforced concrete front reservoir designed with the aim of capturing the wave overtopping in order to produce electricity. The energy is extracted through low head turbines, using the difference between the water levels in the reservoir and the sea water level. This paper analyzes the OBREC hydraulic performances based on physical 2D model tests carried out at Aalborg University (DK). The analysis of the results has led to an improvement in the overall knowledge of the device behavior, completing the main observations from the complementary tests campaign carried out in 2012 in the same wave flume. New prediction formula are presented for wave reflection, the overtopping rate inside the front reservoir and at the rear side of the structure. Such methods have been used to design the first OBREC prototype breakwater in operation since January 2016 at Naples Harbor (Italy).

Highlights

Energy consumption has been one of the most salient ways of measuring progress in society
The energy is extracted through low head turbines, using the difference between the water levels in the reservoir and the sea water level
This paper analyzes the Overtopping BReakwaterfor Energy Conversion (OBREC) hydraulic performances based on physical 2D model tests carried out at Aalborg University (DK)

Summary

Introduction

Energy consumption has been one of the most salient ways of measuring progress in society This is especially true nowadays: fossil fuel is a cultural phenomenon; it is an economic necessity for many developing/developed countries. New parameters, such as energy efficiency, are beginning to be used to estimate the well-being of individual states. In this contest, the renewable energy share of global consumption represents a world-wide index by which it is possible to assess the technological advancement of a country. The main reason is that the resource is so vast [1,2], i.e., the theoretical potential resource of ocean energy is more than sufficient to meet present and projected global electricity demands well into the future

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Results

Conclusion