Development and Hydrodynamic Performance of an Oscillating Buoy-Type Wave Energy Converter

The development of wave energy converters (WECs) faces several technical challenges, particularly enhancing the capturing efficiency, improving the conversion of mechanical to electric energy, and reducing energy losses in the transmission of electricity to land-based facilities. The present study is an assessment of the interaction between an oscillating buoy-type wave energy converter (WEC) and waves using experimental and numerical methods. A small-scale model was tested in a wave tank to evaluate its energy capturing efficiency, taking wave heights and periods as independent variables. The recorded data were used to validate OpenFOAM (version 9.0) simulations, which provided insights into system response characteristics. The findings highlight the critical role of resonance in optimizing energy capture, with maximum efficiency observed for medium wave periods, and with specific buoy configurations. The study also identified an inverse relationship between the capture width ratio and wave height, suggesting the need for customized buoy designs, tailored to specific sea states. The integrated approach used in this research provides a comprehensive understanding of WEC behaviour and offers valuable insights for advancing wave energy technologies and improving their sustainability and efficiency in diverse marine environments.