Analyses of Wave Scattering and Absorption Produced by WEC Arrays: Physical/Numerical Experiments and Model Assessment

Özkan-Haller, H. Tuba; Haller, Merrick C.; McNatt, J. Cameron; Porter, Aaron; Lenee-Bluhm, Pukha

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-53536-4_3

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Communication and interaction between the WGs will ensure the targeted integrated techno-economical approach of wave energy in Europe (interaction between hydrodynamics, array optimization, concept and PTO optimization, economics, policy, legislation, etc.). WG1-Numerical hydrodynamic modelling for WECs, WEC arrays/farms and wave energy resources (accuracy, uncertainty, coupling, applicability, usability): For evaluation of wave energy resources and site characterization, and for studying far-field effects of WEC arrays/farms, typically wave propagation models are employed (e.g., in [28][29][30]), while for studying WECs and their near-field effects, wave-WEC interaction solvers (e.g., in [31,32]) are used (e.g., based on boundary element methods (BEM), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), etc.). Nowadays, coupling techniques are also used between wave propagation models and wave-WEC interaction solvers [33,34].…”

Section: Implementation Of the Wecanet Work Planmentioning

confidence: 99%

WECANet: The First Open Pan-European Network for Marine Renewable Energy with a Focus on Wave Energy-COST Action CA17105

Stratigaki

2019

Water

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Growing energy demand has increased interest in marine renewable energy resources (i.e., wave energy, which is harvested through wave energy converter (WEC) arrays. However, the wave energy industry is currently at a significant juncture in its development, facing a number of challenges which require that research re-focuses on a holistic techno-economic perspective, where the economics considers the full life cycle costs of the technology. It also requires development of WECs suitable for niche markets, because in Europe there are inequalities regarding wave energy resources, wave energy companies, national programs and investments. As a result, in Europe there are leading and non-leading countries in wave energy technology. The sector also needs to increase confidence of potential investors by reducing (non-)technological risks. This can be achieved through an interdisciplinary approach by involving engineers, economists, environmental scientists, lawyers, regulators and policy experts. Consequently, the wave energy sector needs to receive the necessary attention compared to other more advanced and commercial offshore energy technologies (e.g., offshore wind). The formation of the first open pan-European network with an interdisciplinary approach will contribute to large-scale WEC array deployment by dealing with the current bottlenecks. The WECANet (Wave Energy Converter Array Network) European COST Action, introduced in September 2018 and presented in this paper, aims at a collaborative and inclusive approach, as it provides a strong networking and collaboration platform that also creates the space for dialogue between all stakeholders in wave energy. An important characteristic of the Action is that participation is open to all parties interested and active in the development of wave energy. Previous activities organised by WECANet core group members have resulted in a number of joint European projects and scientific publications. WECANet’s main target is the equal research, training, networking, collaboration and funding opportunities for all researchers and professionals, regardless of age, gender and country in order to obtain understanding of the main challenges governing the development of the wave energy sector.

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Section: Implementation Of the Wecanet Work Planmentioning

confidence: 99%

WECANet: The First Open Pan-European Network for Marine Renewable Energy with a Focus on Wave Energy-COST Action CA17105

Stratigaki

2019

Water

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“…To obtain the frequency-dependent wave power absorption coefficient for phase-averaging spectral models and the wave power absorption coefficient (assigned to obstacles/structures) for time-dependent mild slope equation models, wave tank testing or numerical modeling are required. Therefore, the simplified parametrization of the wave power absorbed by WECs is not taking into account the wave-structure interactions of diffraction and radiation of the different WECs modelled [32]. This inaccuracy may lead to an overestimation or underestimation of the WEC farm power absorption and consequently an unrealistic estimation of the "far field" effects in the coastal zone.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Irregular Wave Validation of a Coupling Methodology for Numerical Modelling of Near and Far Field Effects of Wave Energy Converter Arrays

2019

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Between the Wave Energy Converters (WECs) of a farm, hydrodynamic interactions occur and have an impact on the surrounding wave field, both close to the WECs (“near field” effects) and at large distances from their location (“far field” effects). To simulate this “far field” impact in a fast and accurate way, a generic coupling methodology between hydrodynamic models has been developed by the Coastal Engineering Research Group of Ghent University in Belgium. This coupling methodology has been widely used for regular waves. However, it has not been developed yet for realistic irregular sea states. The objective of this paper is to present a validation of the novel coupling methodology for the test case of irregular waves, which is demonstrated here for coupling between the mild slope wave propagation model, MILDwave, and the ‘Boundary Element Method’-based wave–structure interaction solver, NEMOH. MILDwave is used to model WEC farm “far field” effects, while NEMOH is used to model “near field” effects. The results of the MILDwave-NEMOH coupled model are validated against numerical results from NEMOH, and against the WECwakes experimental data for a single WEC, and for WEC arrays of five and nine WECs. Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) between disturbance coefficient (Kd) values in the entire numerical domain ( R M S E K d , D ) are used for evaluating the performed validation. The R M S E K d , D between results from the MILDwave-NEMOH coupled model and NEMOH is lower than 2.0% for the performed test cases, and between the MILDwave-NEMOH coupled model and the WECwakes experimental data R M S E K d , D remains below 10%. Consequently, the efficiency is demonstrated of the coupling methodology validated here which is used to simulate WEC farm impact on the wave field under the action of irregular waves.

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“…These WEC arrays, or wave farms, may conflict with other ocean uses, e.g., shipping and navigation, commercial fishing, and recreation [2]. Wave farms consisting of tens to hundreds of devices may have combinations of beneficial and adverse near-and far-field physical effects on the marine environment such as changes to wave characteristics, circulation patterns, and sediment dynamics (e.g., [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Environmental Assessment Tool (SEAT): A Modeling Tool to Evaluate Potential Environmental Risks Associated with Wave Energy Converter Deployments

Jones¹,

Chang²,

Raghukumar³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Wave energy converter (WEC) arrays deployed in coastal regions may create physical disturbances potentially resulting in environmental stresses. Presently, limited information is available on the nature of these physical disturbance or the resultant effects. A quantitative Spatial Environmental Assessment Tool (SEAT) for evaluating potential effects of wave energy converter (WEC) arrays on nearshore hydrodynamics and sediment transport is presented for the central Oregon coast (USA) through coupled numerical model simulations of an array of WECs. Derived climatological wave conditions were used as inputs to the model to allow for the calculation of risk metrics associated with various hydrodynamic and sediment transport variables such as maximum shear stress, bottom velocity, and change in bed elevation. The risk maps provided simple, quantitative, and spatially-resolved means of evaluating physical changes in the vicinity of a hypothetical WEC array in response to varying wave conditions. Near-field risk of sediment mobility was determined to be moderate in the lee of the densely spaced array, where the potential for increased sediment deposition could result in benthic habitat alteration. Modifications to the nearshore sediment deposition and erosion patterns were observed near headlands and topographic features, which could have implications for littoral sediment transport. The results illustrate the benefits of a risk evaluation tool for facilitating coastal resource management at early market marine renewable energy sites.

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Analyses of Wave Scattering and Absorption Produced by WEC Arrays: Physical/Numerical Experiments and Model Assessment

Cited by 11 publications

References 41 publications

WECANet: The First Open Pan-European Network for Marine Renewable Energy with a Focus on Wave Energy-COST Action CA17105

WECANet: The First Open Pan-European Network for Marine Renewable Energy with a Focus on Wave Energy-COST Action CA17105

Irregular Wave Validation of a Coupling Methodology for Numerical Modelling of Near and Far Field Effects of Wave Energy Converter Arrays

Spatial Environmental Assessment Tool (SEAT): A Modeling Tool to Evaluate Potential Environmental Risks Associated with Wave Energy Converter Deployments

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