Speaker
Description
The generation of ocean energy by waves is currently still in the research and development phase. This is partly because the technology is not yet mature, and partly because large-scale initiatives are not economically viable. The economic feasibility of the energy conversion system can be increased by integrating wave energy converters into breakwaters. By pooling the costs of construction, installation, maintenance and operation, electricity prices can be reduced.
The design of an oscillating water column integrated into a breakwater is the main topic of this study. A numerical model will be developed to estimate the electricity production of the Mutriku wave power plant, the first commercial and first multi-turbine wave power plant in Europe which holds the record for the highest energy production and the record for the longest lifetime since it's still in operation since 2011.
A 1:20 model will be tested in the Instituto Superior Técnico Wave tank under regular and irregular wave conditions. To validate the numerical model, a comparison will be made between the numerical and experimental results using different types of turbines. The numerical model will later be used for the Turbowave PCP of EVE, Basque Country, Spain.
