Numerical analysis of the oscillating water column wave energy extraction system

Abstract The oscillating water column device shows promise in becoming a viable wave-energy extraction system. Initial model tests show it to have a high efficiency, wave to air energy conversion, relative to other wave-energy extraction systems. The wave-energy extraction process is mathematically modelled in this paper and the results presented to predict the performance characteristics of the oscillating water column. The mathematical model reveals that the wave-energy extraction efficiency can be maximized by tuning the structure to the incident wave parameters.