Efficient Properties of Different Types of Wave Energy Converters Placed in Front of a Vertical Breakwater

Abstract

The present paper aims at investigating the efficiency of a cylindrical WEC placed in front of a vertical, surface-piercing breakwater of infinite length. A theoretical model is presented based on the linearized velocity potential, the image theory, and the matched axisymmetric eigenfunction expansion formulations. The WECs under examination are the heaving absorber and the oscillating water column device. From the present analysis, it is demonstrated that the absorbed wave power by the examined WECs in front of a vertical wall is strongly affected by the geometrical parameters of the converters and their mechanical components; thus, they should be properly considered when designing the WEC-breakwater system to increase its wave power efficiency.