Improving the Hydrodynamic Performance of OWC Wave Energy Converter by Attaching a Step

Abstract

The influence of attaching a step to the conventional shore based Oscillating Water Column device on the hydrodynamic performance has been assessed by carrying out experimental investigations. The level of the efficiency improvement in various wave characteristics and Power Take-Off damping conditions were investigated. Three different Power Take-Off damping conditions have been applied to the system and experiments were carried out for both regular and irregular wave conditions. The results obtained from the experimental study prove that the Oscillating Water Column with the attached step has substantially improved hydrodynamic performance in all the Power Take-Off damping conditions compared to the Oscillating Water Column model in uniform water depth.