Hydrodynamics of the Oscillating Wave Surge Converter in the open ocean

TL;DR

This paper develops a potential flow model for a large flap oscillating wave energy converter in the open ocean, analyzing its hydrodynamics, comparing it with channel behavior, and exploring how design changes affect efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces a novel hypersingular integral equation approach and series solution for modeling the converter's hydrodynamics in open ocean conditions.

Findings

Increasing flap width broadens the bandwidth of the capture factor.

The model quantifies the accuracy of wave tank experiments for open ocean performance.

Parametric analysis reveals design strategies for improved efficiency in random seas.

Abstract

A potential flow model is derived for a large flap-type oscillating wave energy converter in the open ocean. Application of the Green's integral theorem in the fluid domain yields a hypersingular integral equation for the jump in potential across the flap. Solution is found via a series expansion in terms of the Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind and even order. Several relationships are then derived between the hydrodynamic parameters of the system. Comparison is made between the behaviour of the converter in the open ocean and in a channel. The degree of accuracy of wave tank experiments aiming at reproducing the performance of the device in the open ocean is quantified. Parametric analysis of the system is then undertaken. It is shown that increasing the flap width has the beneficial effect of broadening the bandwidth of the capture factor curve. This phenomenon can be exploited in random seas to achieve high levels of efficiency.