Experimental and numerical investigation of breakwater-integrated heaving point absorber device under irregular waves

Integrating wave energy devices with coastal structures is a promising solution to reduce the cost of wave energy development along with additional shared benefits. In this study, the performance of a heaving spherical point absorber wave energy converter model in irregular waves is analysed and compared experimentally and numerically. After the fundamental investigation of models in regular waves, it is important to advance the testing in more realistic conditions before the sea trial phase. The investigations are conducted in irregular waves on a 1:30 scale model under two scenarios, (1) model heaving alone and (2) model heaving in a chambered breakwater. Irregular waves are generated based on the JONSWAP spectrum with modified parameters to suit the Indian coastal conditions. Results indicate that the wave energy converter model in the chambered breakwater produces 40.25 % higher power than the model heaving alone in irregular sea conditions. The performance of the model is found to be less compared to that in regular waves.