Wave pressure acting on a seawave slot-cone generator

Any kind of Wave Energy Converter (WEC) requires information on how optimize the device in terms of hydraulic performances and structural responses. This paper presents results on wave loading acting on an innovative caisson breakwater for electricity production. The Seawave Slot-Cone Generator (SSG) concept is based on the known principle of overtopping and storing the wave energy in several reservoirs placed one above the other. Using this method practically all waves, regardless of size and speed are captured for energy production. In the present SSG setup three reservoirs have been used. Comprehensive 2D and 3D hydraulic model tests were carried out at the Department of Civil Engineering, Aalborg University (Denmark) in the 3D deep water wave tank. The model scale used was 1:60 of the SSG prototype at the planned location of a pilot plant at the west coast of the Kvitsøy island (Stavanger, Norway). The analyses of hydraulic model tests have identified the main shapes assumed by wave surfaces at the breakwater and respective spatial and temporal pressure distributions. The influence of wave obliquity and multidirectionality is also described by loading reduction factors referred to the case of long-crested head-on wave attack. Pressure measurements were compared with the prediction method made for caisson breakwaters with sloping top. These results suggest to use the experimental data as design pressures since the design criteria of traditional maritime structures may be not satisfactory for designing innovative breakwater as SSG.