A new application of the nonlinear shallow water numerical model AMAZON to study OWC in vertical breakwaters

Abstract

This paper ilustrates lhe application of a non-linear shallow water numerical model, AMAZON, to study Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converters (OWC-WEC) inregrated in vertical breakwaters. This application has been performed within the scope of the research project DITOWEC - Development of an Integrated Tool for Numerical Modelling of Oscillating Water Cohumn Wave Energy Converters Integrated in Vertical Breakwaters. The main objective of DITOWEC is the development of an innovative integrated tool for numerical modeling of wave propagation from offshore to nearshore, of wave-structure interaction and of the complex nonlinear hydrodynamic and aerodynamic phenomena that occur in an OWC-WEC. This development is supported by field data from PICO power plant (Azores) and from two-dimensional experimental data, from physical model tests carried out at LNEC, which are used here for AMAZON calibration/validation. A sensitivity analysis on AMAZON parameters (grid resolution and momentum adjustment factor at vertical barrier) is presented and discussed, centered on wave height obtained near and inside lhe water chamber, amplification factor and phase lag. The obtained AMAZON results are encouraging though more tests are required for different water depths, vertical openings and incoming wave periods, allowing further calibration and validation of the momentum adjustment factor.