Hydrodynamic characteristics of a hybrid oscillating water column-oscillating buoy wave energy converter integrated into a π-type floating breakwater

Combining multiple-types of Wave Energy Converters (WECs) and integrating them into in-development or pre-existing marine platforms can reduce the total Levelised Cost (LCoE) by sharing infrastructures maintenance costs. The current study proposes an innovative multi-purpose solution deploying Oscillating Buoy (OB) device inside chamber Water Column (OWC) WEC integrated a π-type floating breakwater. A fully non-linear time-domain model based on Higher-Oder Boundary Element Method (HOBEM) is established to investigate hydrodynamic performance proposed concept. generalised incorporate OWC (aero hydrodynamics coupling) multi-body interaction. series simulations are performed examine hybrid Results were compared with isolated breakwater OWC-integrated breakwater, demonstrating that concept has beneficial impact both wave energy conversion transmitted attenuation. In addition, long-period waves enter more easily, which leads larger inner water motion pressure fluctuation in chamber. Importantly, there exists coupled resonant between OB surface chamber, enhances maximum capture efficiency frequency bandwidth. asymmetric triangle-shaped bottom found absorb along depth effectively. Despite better performance, design does not increase characteristic system volume no external moving part, making it ideal for array deployment.