This paper presents the setup , the validation and the application of a two-phase incompressible ... more This paper presents the setup , the validation and the application of a two-phase incompressible three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) model for an extensive parameter study on the performance of a fixed, detached Oscillating Water Column (OWC) wave energy converter. The numerical study aims to assess the combined effect of relevant design parameters (chamber length, front wall draught, damping applied by the turbine) and of the wave conditions (wave height, wave period and water depth) on the device performance, with reference to its hypothetical installation in moderate wave climates (e.g. in the Central Mediterranean Sea). The OWC device examined here is fixed, detached from the seabed, and with asymmetric front and back walls as a characteristic feature. The results show that, by appropriately tuning the design parameters, a maximum value of the capture width ratio of approximately 0.87 can be achieved.
The use of Very Large Floating Structures, VLFS, may represent a strategic approach in order to c... more The use of Very Large Floating Structures, VLFS, may represent a strategic approach in order to cope with some of the future societal challenges arising from the impressive growth of the world population. In this article, the motivations of this perspective are briefly discussed, the main issues for the development of VLFS are summarized and a concept structural design based on building-blocks technology is proposed. A small-scale physical model was manufactured and tested in the wave-current flume of the Laboratory of Maritime Engineering, LABIMA, of the Florence University, Italy. The aim of this study is the assessment of the structural feasibility and the effectiveness of the proposed VLFS concept, in terms of resistance to wave loads and control of floating behavior. The experimental measurements provide a first contribution to the necessary knowledge, about load magnitudes and floating behavior, for sizing some of the key structural components. The results appear to support the feasibility of the system in terms of usage of structural materials, technical components and building technologies, available at present, that can withstand the measured loads. Moreover, the acquired experimental database is fundamental in order to validate numerical models, in the perspective of using also such tools as complementary methodology for further improvement of the knowledge of design issues.
• Il lavoro presenta lo studio delle perdite energetiche nel processo di conversione dell'energia... more • Il lavoro presenta lo studio delle perdite energetiche nel processo di conversione dell'energia del moto ondoso di un dispositivo a colonna d'acqua oscillante (OWC) • Lo strumento utilizzato è un canale marittimo virtuale basato sulla CFD e validato con dati sperimentali, tramite il quale si analizza in dettaglio il bilancio energetico dell'OWC • Fra le geometrie di OWC testate in questo studio, le perdite di energia potenzialmente recuperabile raggiungono un valore pari al 10% dell'energia dell'onda incidente.
COST is supported by the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020. COST (European Cooperation in Scien... more COST is supported by the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020. COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. COST Actions help connect research initiatives across Europe and enable scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers.
Growing energy demand has increased interest in marine renewable energy resources (i.e., wave ene... more Growing energy demand has increased interest in marine renewable energy resources (i.e., wave energy, which is harvested through wave energy converter (WEC) arrays. However, the wave energy industry is currently at a significant juncture in its development, facing a number of challenges which require that research re-focuses on a holistic techno-economic perspective, where the economics considers the full life cycle costs of the technology. It also requires development of WECs suitable for niche markets, because in Europe there are inequalities regarding wave energy resources, wave energy companies, national programs and investments. As a result, in Europe there are leading and non-leading countries in wave energy technology. The sector also needs to increase confidence of potential investors by reducing (non-)technological risks. This can be achieved through an interdisciplinary approach by involving engineers, economists, environmental scientists, lawyers, regulators and policy ex...
This paper presents the setup , the validation and the application of a two-phase incompressible ... more This paper presents the setup , the validation and the application of a two-phase incompressible three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) model for an extensive parameter study on the performance of a fixed, detached Oscillating Water Column (OWC) wave energy converter. The numerical study aims to assess the combined effect of relevant design parameters (chamber length, front wall draught, damping applied by the turbine) and of the wave conditions (wave height, wave period and water depth) on the device performance, with reference to its hypothetical installation in moderate wave climates (e.g. in the Central Mediterranean Sea). The OWC device examined here is fixed, detached from the seabed, and with asymmetric front and back walls as a characteristic feature. The results show that, by appropriately tuning the design parameters, a maximum value of the capture width ratio of approximately 0.87 can be achieved.
The use of Very Large Floating Structures, VLFS, may represent a strategic approach in order to c... more The use of Very Large Floating Structures, VLFS, may represent a strategic approach in order to cope with some of the future societal challenges arising from the impressive growth of the world population. In this article, the motivations of this perspective are briefly discussed, the main issues for the development of VLFS are summarized and a concept structural design based on building-blocks technology is proposed. A small-scale physical model was manufactured and tested in the wave-current flume of the Laboratory of Maritime Engineering, LABIMA, of the Florence University, Italy. The aim of this study is the assessment of the structural feasibility and the effectiveness of the proposed VLFS concept, in terms of resistance to wave loads and control of floating behavior. The experimental measurements provide a first contribution to the necessary knowledge, about load magnitudes and floating behavior, for sizing some of the key structural components. The results appear to support the feasibility of the system in terms of usage of structural materials, technical components and building technologies, available at present, that can withstand the measured loads. Moreover, the acquired experimental database is fundamental in order to validate numerical models, in the perspective of using also such tools as complementary methodology for further improvement of the knowledge of design issues.
• Il lavoro presenta lo studio delle perdite energetiche nel processo di conversione dell'energia... more • Il lavoro presenta lo studio delle perdite energetiche nel processo di conversione dell'energia del moto ondoso di un dispositivo a colonna d'acqua oscillante (OWC) • Lo strumento utilizzato è un canale marittimo virtuale basato sulla CFD e validato con dati sperimentali, tramite il quale si analizza in dettaglio il bilancio energetico dell'OWC • Fra le geometrie di OWC testate in questo studio, le perdite di energia potenzialmente recuperabile raggiungono un valore pari al 10% dell'energia dell'onda incidente.
COST is supported by the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020. COST (European Cooperation in Scien... more COST is supported by the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020. COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. COST Actions help connect research initiatives across Europe and enable scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers.
Growing energy demand has increased interest in marine renewable energy resources (i.e., wave ene... more Growing energy demand has increased interest in marine renewable energy resources (i.e., wave energy, which is harvested through wave energy converter (WEC) arrays. However, the wave energy industry is currently at a significant juncture in its development, facing a number of challenges which require that research re-focuses on a holistic techno-economic perspective, where the economics considers the full life cycle costs of the technology. It also requires development of WECs suitable for niche markets, because in Europe there are inequalities regarding wave energy resources, wave energy companies, national programs and investments. As a result, in Europe there are leading and non-leading countries in wave energy technology. The sector also needs to increase confidence of potential investors by reducing (non-)technological risks. This can be achieved through an interdisciplinary approach by involving engineers, economists, environmental scientists, lawyers, regulators and policy ex...
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