Numerical Investigation into the Performance of an OWC Device under Regular and Irregular Waves

A numerical investigation into the hydrodynamic efficiency of an oscillating water column (OWC) device for production energy from sea waves under conditions regular and irregular is proposed. The simulations were carried out using a two-dimensional version recently published three-dimensional free-surface nonhydrostatic model, which based on conservative form contravariant Navier–Stokes equations written moving co-ordinate system. governing are spatially discretized by finite volume shock-capturing scheme high-order wave-targeted essentially nonoscillatory reconstructions exact Riemann solver. Time discretization was performed predictor-corrector method that took account pressure component. proposed model allowed us to highlight significant differences between obtained those monochromatic provides more realistic evaluations OWC performances. results above comparison showed reduction in 0.78 about 0.54 when passing corresponding ones. applied assess potential obtainable set OWCs at Cetraro harbor (southern Italy). show that, adopting optimal dimensions OWC, estimated mean annual equal 1540.52 MWh, corresponds 10 wind turbines with nominal power 60 KW.