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Experimental investigation of pile-supported Oscillating Water Column devices

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Listed:
  • Almalki, Y.R.
  • Swan, C.
  • Karmpadakis, I.

Abstract

The present study investigates the impact of key geometric parameters in the design of an Oscillating Water Column (OWC) integrated into a pile-supported breakwater. This is achieved through an extensive experimental campaign and a systematic investigation of key device parameters. Specifically, the present study examines the pneumatic efficiency of the OWC, the geometric characteristics of both the OWC and the breakwater, as well as the position of the OWC within the breakwater. The effect of these device characteristics on the performance of the OWC is assessed by considering monochromatic waves of varying steepness and effective water depths. The performance of the OWC is evaluated in terms of its wave transmission and reflection coefficients, as well as its energy generation efficiency. In turn, these are quantified using arrays of collocated sensors and high-speed imaging. Taken together, the parametric study provides physical insights into the effect of key device parameters on the efficiency of the OWC. Once optimal configurations are employed, the power output of the device is shown to increase by up to 164%, while wave transmission is reduced by 55%, compared to the initial design configuration. These results offer a valuable perspective for the development of more efficient wave energy converters.

Suggested Citation

  • Almalki, Y.R. & Swan, C. & Karmpadakis, I., 2025. "Experimental investigation of pile-supported Oscillating Water Column devices," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 248(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:248:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125006354
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.122973
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elhanafi, Ahmed & Fleming, Alan & Macfarlane, Gregor & Leong, Zhi, 2017. "Underwater geometrical impact on the hydrodynamic performance of an offshore oscillating water column–wave energy converter," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 209-231.
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    4. Fang He & Mingjia Li & Zhenhua Huang, 2016. "An Experimental Study of Pile-Supported OWC-Type Breakwaters: Energy Extraction and Vortex-Induced Energy Loss," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-15, July.
    5. Deng, Zhengzhi & Wang, Chen & Wang, Peng & Higuera, Pablo & Wang, Ruoqian, 2019. "Hydrodynamic performance of an offshore-stationary OWC device with a horizontal bottom plate: Experimental and numerical study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    6. Ning, De-Zhi & Wang, Rong-Quan & Gou, Ying & Zhao, Ming & Teng, Bin, 2016. "Numerical and experimental investigation of wave dynamics on a land-fixed OWC device," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P1), pages 326-337.
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