Including Nonlinear and Viscous Effects when Modelling the Performance of Wave Energy Converters

The power production from floating wave energy converters (WECs) is today computed with linear models. Although fast, the accuracy of these methods close to resonance and in large waves is uncertain. Access to advanced models that includes non-linear effects of e.g. viscosity, over-topping and breaking waves is therefore vital for improving device performance without costly field trials. The project aims to use two-phase Navier-Stokes (VOF-RANS) simulations to evaluate to what extent the power production of a WEC is affected by viscous and non-linear effects (including scale effects). Further, the project will develop efficient methods for wave generation/absorbtion and mesh refinement, aiming to make VOF-RANS simulations fast enough to enable industrial use in the design loop. At the end of the project, the developed tools will be made freely available as a part of the open-source platform OpenFOAM.