The Force of a Tsunami on a Wave Energy Converter

Laura O'Brien (1) , Paul Christodoulides (2) , Emiliano Renzi (1) , Denys Dutykh (1, 3, 4, 5) , Frédéric Dias (1, 6)

1 School of Mathematical Sciences [Dublin]
2 Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology [Limassol]
3 LAMA - Laboratoire de Mathématiques
4 INSMI-CNRS - Institut National des Sciences Mathématiques et de leurs Interactions - CNRS Mathématiques
5 USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry] - Université Savoie Mont Blanc
6 CMLA - Centre de Mathématiques et de Leurs Applications

With an increasing emphasis on renewable energy resources, wave power technology is fast becoming a realistic solution. However, the recent tsunami in Japan was a harsh reminder of the ferocity of the ocean. It is known that tsunamis are nearly undetectable in the open ocean but as the wave approaches the shore its energy is compressed creating large destructive waves. The question posed here is whether a nearshore wave energy converter (WEC) could withstand the force of an incoming tsunami. The analytical 3D model of Renzi & Dias (2012) developed within the framework of a linear theory and applied to an array of fixed plates is used. The time derivative of the velocity potential allows the hydrodynamic force to be calculated.

Mots clés: Tsunami; wave energy converter; load

Domaines: Mécanique des fluides [physics.class-ph]; Mécanique des fluides [physics.class-ph]; Océan, Atmosphère; Océanographie; Milieux fluides et réactifs; Systèmes Solubles et Intégrables [nlin.SI]; Physique Numérique [physics.comp-ph]; Physique Classique [physics.class-ph]; Géophysique [physics.geo-ph]; Géophysique [physics.geo-ph]; Milieux et Changements globaux; Dynamique des Fluides [physics.flu-dyn]; Physique Atmosphérique et Océanique [physics.ao-ph]

Laura O'Brien, Paul Christodoulides, Emiliano Renzi, Denys Dutykh, Frédéric Dias. The Force of a Tsunami on a Wave Energy Converter. Twenty-second (2012) International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Jun 2012, Rhodes, Greece. pp.538. ⟨hal-00728888⟩