Numerical modeling of the effects of wave energy converter characteristics on nearshore wave conditions

• Published in: Renewable energy Vol. 89; pp. 636 - 648
• Main Authors: Chang, G., Ruehl, K., Jones, C.A., Roberts, J., Chartrand, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2016
• Subjects: Arrays; Computer simulation; Converters; Devices; Incident waves; Mathematical models; Model sensitivity; Nearshore wave propagation; Parametrization; Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN); Wave energy converter (WEC); Wave modeling; Wave power; Nearshore wave propagation; Wave modeling; Wave energy converter (WEC); Model sensitivity; Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN)
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2015.12.048

Modeled nearshore wave propagation was investigated downstream of simulated wave energy converters (WECs) to evaluate overall near- and far-field effects of WEC arrays. Model sensitivity to WEC characteristics and WEC array deployment scenarios was evaluated using a modified version of an industry standard wave model, Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN), which allows the incorporation of device-specific WEC characteristics to specify obstacle transmission. The sensitivity study illustrated that WEC device type and subsequently its size directly resulted in wave height variations in the lee of the WEC array. Wave heights decreased up to 30% between modeled scenarios with and without WECs for large arrays (100 devices) of relatively sizable devices (26 m in diameter) with peak power generation near to the modeled incident wave height. Other WEC types resulted in less than 15% differences in modeled wave height with and without WECs, with lesser influence for WECs less than 10 m in diameter. Wave directions and periods were largely insensitive to changes in parameters. However, additional model parameterization and analysis are required to fully explore the model sensitivity of peak wave period and mean wave direction to the varying of the parameters. [Display omitted] •We evaluate a novel WEC module of Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN).•We investigate wave model sensitivity to simulated wave energy converter (WEC) arrays with different characteristics.•Wave model results are most sensitive to WEC power performance, which is generally related to device type and size.•Wave height decreases of 30% were found for WEC arrays with peak power generation near the incident wave height and period.