Wave–current interaction effects on marine energy converters

Many countries have significant interests in generating electricity using waves and tidal current technologies. In energetic areas, waves and tidal currents interact for modifying the energy resource and impacting on the design conditions. Changes to the wave climate depend on the strength of the current and the relative wave direction. SWAN simulations of the wave climate around the Orkney Islands, with and without currents, show that considerable changes in the wave climate occur near sites of interest to wave and tidal energy project developers. Using circular statistics the effect of the relative angle between the waves and the current can be investigated. Local effects can lead to 150–200% increases in wave height when the waves oppose the current. These dramatic changes lead to an increase in wave power of over 100 kWm-1. The complex nature of the tides in the channels also leads to large changes in wave power during the so-called slack water period. Wave amplification diagrams are proposed to provide a convenient summary of wave–current effects at a particular site and allow a statistical analysis to be made. When performing resource analysis and site selection work for marine energy projects, wave–current interaction must be considered.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2013.09.002
• Record URL:
  • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0029801813003454
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00298018
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Saruwatari, Ayumi
  • Ingram, David M
  • Cradden, Lucy
• Publication Date: 2013-11-15

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 106-118
• Serial:
  • Ocean Engineering
  • Volume: 73
  • Publisher: Pergamon
  • ISSN: 0029-8018
  • EISSN: 1873-5258
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00298018

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Energy conversion; Hydrologic phenomena; Power output; Renewable energy sources; Statistical analysis; Tidal currents; Water waves
• Geographic Terms: Orkney Islands
• Subject Areas: Energy; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Marine Transportation; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01499434
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 21 2013 9:21AM