Numerical Study of the Influence of Front Wall Position on Wave Energy Extraction for an Oscillating Water Column System

The oscillating water column (OWC) is a type of wave energy converter that harnesses energy from the motion of ocean waves. Oscillating water column systems represent a promising technology for harnessing wave energy and have the potential to contribute to a more sustainable energy mix in regions with significant wave resources, such as coastal areas. Researchers and engineers continue to work on improving the efficiency and reliability of OWC systems to make them a more competitive renewable energy option. The magnitude of the fluctuations and the behavior of the water column movement inside the chamber are very important parameters influencing power extraction. Predicting such factors in relation to wave characteristics and design parameters is therefore of major significance. In the present work, numerical simulations are carried out for a fixed OWC system with five different sizes of vertical front wall heights γ under regular wave conditions. Average fluctuations within the chamber are measured. The mean fluctuations within the chamber are recorded and are compared with experimental results showing good agreement.