Wave Energy Analysis and Capture Width Ratio for Floating Structures

This study aims to focus on identifying the wave climate that presides over the Atlantic Ocean on the West side of Ireland. A series of quantitative analysis was carried out using data taken from a wave buoy placed offshore North-West Ireland. The analysis performed to calculate the dominant wind and wave directions annually. The number of occurrences of different wave heights with respect to varying wave periods is also delineated. The well-known spectral analysis is also carried out in order to find the energy capacity of the studied region. The results show that the region is governed by a wave height of 4 meters that mostly travels from West to East that occurs at a very narrow frequency and a wave power of around 60 kW/m. Three Floating structures, two floating breakwaters (π-type and box-type) and a floating Wave Energy Converter (Wave Dragon), are also proposed in the aim to know their level of power absorption and their capture width ratio. This has been achieved with the help of four different studies, three different wave transmission coefficient formula was derived from each study for each structure. The results show that the Wave Dragon is the most efficient in terms of power absorption and capture width ratio while testing them as a point wave absorber. Keywords: Wave Energy, Wave Power, Capture width ratio, Transmission coefficient, Wave energy absorber.