Site-specific optimization of an OWC wave energy converter in a Mediterranean area

Simonetti, Irene; Crema, Ilaria; Cappietti, Lorenzo; Elsafti, Hisham; Oumeraci, Hocine

doi:10.1201/9781315229256-43

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…To test a fully two-dimensional model, the turbine-induced damping is introduced in the laboratory model by using a slot, extending along the full width of the OWC chamber, having a width of Wf = 5 mm. The area of the slot corresponds to 1.6% of the area of the top cover of the OWC chamber (a value which was found to guarantee appreciable wave energy extraction performance in previous studies, e.g., in [17,37]). Using orifices, or slots as in the present two-dimensional study, to mimic the PTO damping in laboratory scale models of OWC devices is a consolidated experimental technique, regularly applied since the first documented studies in the literature (e.g., [38]) to the most recent ones (e.g., [39]).…”

Section: The Small-scale Laboratory Model Of the O 2 Wcmentioning

confidence: 95%

Experimental Proof-of-Concept of a Hybrid Wave Energy Converter Based on Oscillating Water Column and Overtopping Mechanisms

2022

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This paper presents the results of laboratory tests on a hybrid wave energy converter concept, the O2WC (Oscillating-Overtopping Water Column) device. The proposed device aims at providing an alternative to the classical OWC concept, storing part of the wave energy of the highly energetic sea states in a second chamber at atmospheric pressure, through overtopping phenomena. In this way, the maximum airflow rate and air pressure in the OWC chamber are reduced, possibly aiding the safe functioning of the air turbine, and allowing to exploit the excess of energy instead of dissipating it through by-pass valves. The performance of the device is investigated under different incident wave conditions, for different design parameters. The height of the overtopping threshold from the second chamber of the device which allows to maximize the performance has been selected. Results show that the decrease of the primary conversion efficiency of the OWC component of the device caused by the decreased air pressure in the OWC chamber can be partially compensated by the additional energy stored in the overtopping chamber of the O2WC device. Overall, the studied O2WC device has capture width ratio values ranging between 0.3 and 0.7.

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Section: The Small-scale Laboratory Model Of the O 2 Wcmentioning

confidence: 95%

Experimental Proof-of-Concept of a Hybrid Wave Energy Converter Based on Oscillating Water Column and Overtopping Mechanisms

2022

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“…For LES, the large scale turbulent structures are directly resolved and the turbulence on the sub-grid scale is modeled, which is still very computationally expensive, and has therefore rarely been applied to WEC applications (examples of LES applied to WECs can be seen in [52][53][54]). The RANS method does not attempt to directly resolve any of the turbulent structures, thus larger mesh cells and time steps are possible, which significantly reduces the computational requirements of this method compared to DNS and LES.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficient Nonlinear Hydrodynamic Models for Wave Energy Converter Design—A Scoping Study

Davidson

Costello²

2020

JMSE

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This review focuses on the most suitable form of hydrodynamic modeling for the next generation wave energy converter (WEC) design tools. To design and optimize a WEC, it is estimated that several million hours of operation must be simulated, perhaps one million hours of WEC simulation per year of the R&D program. This level of coverage is possible with linear potential flow (LPF) models, but the fidelity of the physics included is not adequate. Conversely, while Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) type computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solvers provide a high fidelity representation of the physics, the increased computational burden of these models renders the required amount of simulations infeasible. To scope the fast, high fidelity options, the present literature review aims to focus on what CFD theories exist intermediate to LPF and RANS as well as other modeling options that are computationally fast while retaining higher fidelity than LPF.

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“…The device consists in a hollow chamber, open below the water level, where the external incident wave action excites the oscillation of the inner water column, which in turn causes a reciprocating airflow to move towards an air turbine. Studies that investigates the wave energy harvesting performance of such device are widespread (e.g., Morris-Thomas et al, 2007;Lopez et al 2014;He and Huang, 2016a;Elhanafi et al, 2017;Simonetti et al, 2016 and. On the contrary, studies that investigate its effectiveness as anti-reflection device are quite limited Geng, 2012, He andHuang 2016b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Effectiveness of Oscillating Water Column Devices in Reducing the Agitation in Front of Vertical Walls Harbor Structures

Cappietti¹,

Simonetti²

2018

Int. Conf. Coastal. Eng.

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Wave reflection at harbor structures negatively affects the navigability of entrance canals and harbor tranquility. In case of rubble-mound structures this phenomenon is relatively limited if compared to vertical-wall structures. However, in case of deep waters, the use of the latter is an obliged choice due to economic reasons. Furthermore, vertical wall structures are also the preferred choice of harbor managers since they permit a better design of the berthing structures and help the effective use of space inside the harbor. Reducing the wave reflection at vertical wall structures is thus an important measure. To date, several approaches have been presented in the literature (see for instance Huang et al., 2011, and references therein). The effectiveness of slotted vertical perforated-walls has been studied since many years (most recently: Neelamani et al., 2017). Such kind of structure is often also adopted as frontal and internal wall of caisson breakwaters embodying one or multiple chambers (most recently: Ciocan et al., 2017). Another alternative, so far proposed, are caissons with internal rubble mound (Altomare, C., & Gironella, X., 2014). The so called Oscillating Water Column (OWC) concept, commonly investigated as wave energy converter (Falcão, 2010), can also represent a viable alternative to absorb the incident energy thus decreasing its reflection. However, the studies that investigate its effectiveness as anti-reflection device are quite limited (Liu and Geng, 2012, He and Huang 2016). This work aims to contribute to the present knowledge on the effectiveness of an OWC, embodied in quay walls or harbor breakwaters, as an alternative to reduce the wave reflection at vertical wall structures.

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Site-specific optimization of an OWC wave energy converter in a Mediterranean area

Cited by 6 publications

References 1 publication

Experimental Proof-of-Concept of a Hybrid Wave Energy Converter Based on Oscillating Water Column and Overtopping Mechanisms

Experimental Proof-of-Concept of a Hybrid Wave Energy Converter Based on Oscillating Water Column and Overtopping Mechanisms

Efficient Nonlinear Hydrodynamic Models for Wave Energy Converter Design—A Scoping Study

On the Effectiveness of Oscillating Water Column Devices in Reducing the Agitation in Front of Vertical Walls Harbor Structures

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