Onshore U-OWC Wave Energy Converter: A Hydrodynamic Study of Its Capture Performance Impacted by Air-Compressibility Effects

Abstract

The distinct engineering advantages of Oscillating Water Column (OWC) systems have driven substantial academic interest lately. This work examines the onshore U-shaped OWC (U-OWC), selected for its cost-effective installation integrated with existing coastal infrastructure and its superior broadband response to diverse wave climates. Time-domain CFD simulations, incorporating the scaling-rematched approach, were conducted to quantify key hydrodynamic and air-compressibility coefficients, including the amplitude of the wave exciting force, fluid damping coefficient, added mass, absorption factor, and the effective PTO (power take-off) damping and air-compressibility coefficients. These parameters collectively elucidate the underlying hydrodynamics and how they are interwoven with the compressibility of the air in the plenum chamber, thereby impacting the U-OWC's energy-capture performance under incident waves. A principal finding is the identification of a C+ interval wherein air compressibility enhances capture performance in the lower wave-period range examined (<8.0 s). The added mass of the present U-OWC exhibits a remarkably pronounced decrease around the wave period of 8.0 s, which can be verified by a simple resonance formula of heave buoys to underline its strong near-resonance behavior.