Numerical simulation of a near-shore rotating wave energy converter

Development of wave energy convertors (WEC) is one of the main challenges that naval architectures have encountered, recently. One of the most important approaches before construction of WECs is the evaluation of their conceptual models in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. Therefore, in the current article, an innovative model of wave energy convertor is presented and hydrodynamic performance of proposed model in Persian Gulf has been examined. For accurate simulation of dynamics of WEC, mesh morphing technique is utilized. Since the presented WEC is an innovative design and there is no experimental result for validation purpose, it is tried to verify the numerical setup using similar experimental problems which have the various characteristics of the considered problem. Then, several different geometries including flat and foil pedals, and big and small semi-spherical pedals as a part of WEC have been analyzed, numerically. Small semi-spherical pedal has been determined as the best possible geometry. Number of pedals has been another parameter which has been studied and eight pedals model has been recognized as optimum choice. Finally, optimum WEC has been simulated in nine different waves and the results have been presented.