Wave energy converters of the wave activated body class are designed to have large amplitudes of motion, even in moderate sea states, because their efficiency is directly related with the amplitude of their motion. Hence, classical seakeeping numerical tools based on linear potential theory, which are widely used in the design process of offshore structures, are not accurate enough in the case of wave energy conversion. So, large differences between numerical predictions and wave tank experiments are often observed. On the other hand, the use of CFD models theoretically able to provide more accurate results is still difficult for wave energy applications, mainly because this requires a huge computation time. Moreover, it is well known that viscous solver have difficulties in propagatating gravity waves accurately. In this paper, we assess the potential of two advanced hydro-dynamic numerical models in the numerical modelling of wave energy converters. These numerical models are expected to provide more accurate results than classical linear theory based numerical models and faster results than CFD models. Particularly, these tools are expected to be able to deal efficiently with large motions of wave energy converters. In the first one, the hydrostatic forces and the Froude-Krylov forces are computed on the exact wetted surface of the wave energy converter, whereas radiation and diffraction forces are computed using the standard linear potential theory. Using this model, it is shown that we were able to predict the parametric roll phenomenon in the case of the SEAREV wave energy converter. In the second one, a Navier Stokes solver, based on RANS equations, is used. Comparisons are made with experiments and it is showed that this tool is able to model quite accurately viscous effects such as slamming. However, computation time is found to be long with this last tool.

Abstract. The object of the study is to present the first step of the development of a methodology that aims to merge the gap between meso scale and micro scale modelling. WRF simulations have been carried out in order to consider global wind conditions over a meso scale area of the future wind farm. A statistical analysis of the global wind data over several years has been carried out to initiate the work for the Saint Nazaire site. A focus was made on two wind regimes: the most common wind typical of the site's location and the extreme winds over the period. The WRF results were then used as initial conditions for a micro scale simulation carried out by a non-stationary large-eddy simulation (SOWFA) tool based OpenFOAM solver that computes the flow around 2 turbines. Turbulence statistics were computed and analyzed. Fields of skewness and flatness show found that the distribution of turbulence becomes more homogeneous after the second turbine, while turbulence intensity increases.

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case studies in the Channel -AtlanticABSTRACT. -Faced with the development of Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) in recent years and demand from regional public authorities to evaluate the energy potential of their coastal domains, it was necessary to design an integrated tool for determining, at the scale of a site and then a region, first the gross resource per energy type and then its technical potential followed by its technico-economic potential. In response to this need, Artelia mobilised its experts in maritime and river hydraulics and in energy with the aim of developing a tool dedicated to calculating MRE production capacities. With this operational objective in mind, ARTELIA undertook R&D actions in order to determine the state of the art in calculation methods and in tools already developed and in use in other European countries spearheading this activity, especially the United Kingdom (Atlas of UK Marine Renewable Energy Resources, ABPmer,) and the United States (in particular the work of the EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute)). The tool was then developed and applied successively in the framework of calculating the MRE potential of the coastal domain of the Poitou-Charentes region (client: Poitou-Charentes regional council), then through study assessments performed on the marine current power potential of Lower Normandy (client: DREAL Basse-Normandie) and on the MRE potential of the Aquitaine coast (client: Aquitaine regional council -GIP Littoral Aquitain). The tool allows for the assessment of the resources, technical and techno-economic potentials It has been applied to the following topics: marine current power (offshore and in estuaries and rivers), wave power (offshore, nearshore and coastal) and wind power (offshore and floating turbines). This article provides a brief summary of the various aspects of the tool implemented, illustrated through a few examples drawn from the studies referred to above.Key-words: marine renewable energy, potential, producible powerArticle published by SHF and available at