A FARM OF WAVE ACTIVATED BODIES FOR COASTAL PROTECTION PURPOSES

Abstract

This paper aims at investigating the efficacy of a floating farm of wave energy converters for coastal protection purposes through physical and numerical modelling. The experiments were performed in 3D conditions on a basic module consisting of two staggered lines and three devices. The numerical simulations were carried out with the software MIKE 21 BW, developed by DHI Water & Environment & Health, and were calibrated based on the experimental results. Additional configurations were tested by varying the gap long-shore width and the device alignment. Despite the model limitations, i.e. the representation of the devices as fixed porous piles, the numerical results well approximate the average measured transmission coefficient and allow to derive a complete map of the hydrodynamics around the devices.