Hydrodynamics Of Ocean Wave Energy Utilization

Hydrodynamics of Ocean Wave-Energy Utilization

The papers which follow were presented at an International Sym posium held in Lisbon from 8-11 July 1985 on the Hydrodynamics of Ocean Wave-Energy Utilization and sponsored by the Interna tional Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics. The subject of the Symposium embraced wave statistics, numerical methods, theoretical, experimental and field studies of wave energy devices. The idea of extracting useful energy from ocean waves continues to attract the curiosity of scientists and engineers in many parts of the world as the following papers indicate. Increasing ly the trend is towards smaller devices suitable for use near remote island communities where wave power, as an alternative to costly diesel fuel for electric generators, is already very competitive in economic terms. The decision to build two different prototype wave-power devices into the cliffs off Bergen in Norway has provided a welcome impetus to the field, stimulating a large amount of theoretical work on oscillating water column-type devices. In particular phase control methods - in which force and velocity of a rigid body, or pressure and volume flux across a turbine are matched in phase to achieve maximum power output - rightfully occupy a central place in the papers that follow. In addition to the established workers in the field, a new ge neration of wave-energy enthusiasts is emerging, learning from the mistakes of others and contributing exciting ideas of both a conceptual and practical nature.

Ocean Wave Energy

Wave energy is reaching a critical stage, following over three decades of intensive research and development. The first few full-scale prototypes have been tested at sea and the first pre-commercial orders were placed. The first offshore wave farm is to be installed in the near future and it is likely that similar schemes will shortly follow. Such projects will in the medium term provide a comparable output to the conventional wind farms, allowing an alternative approach when trying to ov- come the technological challenge of finding alternative renewable energy sources. It will also fulfil one of the oldest desires of civilization: to harness the power of ocean waves. This book compiles a number of contributions prepared with the aim of prov- ing the reader with an updated and global view on ocean wave energy conversion. Given the topics covered and the link between of all them, it can be considered one of the first textbooks (or handbooks) related to this field. The authors are r- ognised individuals within the wave energy community with different ba- grounds, and their contributions try to give an overall perspective of the state of the art of different technologies. The book does not intend to point to a specific technology; the market will be responsible for that.

Hydrodynamics of Ocean Wave-energy Utilization