Experimental and theoretical studies of harbours on wave energy devices

The concept of adding harbors, consisting of two parallel projecting walls, to a wave energy device in order to increase its capture efficiency was first put forward in 1982. Experimental studies were carried out by Marchwood Engineering Laboratories both on a 1:100 scale model in a wave tank and a 1:10 scale model in sea trials in the Solent. Both devices were of the oscillating-water-column design and had removal harbors of various sizes, allowing measurements to be made of their effect on capture efficiency under various wave conditions.