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An Experimental Study of a Buoyant OWC Wave Energy Converter

Abstract

The hydrodynamic performance of a buoyant Oscillating Water Column (OWC) wave energy device under various wave conditions and geometric parameters was tested experimentally in a wave flume. The water surface elevations in the chamber measured by digital camera were converted into vertical displacement, velocity, air pressure and aerodynamic energy. Finally, the efficiency of the OWC chamber in transforming the power of the incoming waves into pneumatic power was calculated.