Abstract
Marine renewable energy (MRE) offers a promising pathway toward sustainable, low-carbon power generation by harnessing the predictable and abundant energy of ocean waves. This study investigates the hydrodynamic performance and optimization of a vertically oriented oscillating surge wave energy converter (VOSWEC) designed for integration into coastal protection structures. Using linear wave theory as a foundation, boundary element method (BEM) simulations were conducted in Capytaine to evaluate excitation torque, radiation damping, and added mass for 24 plate configurations varying in length, thickness, and submergence depth, targeting an approximately 1:30 scaled model of the original WEC-Sim OSWEC geometry. Results revealed that increased submergence depth consistently enhanced all three hydrodynamic coefficients, while intermediate plate widths often produced the highest added mass and damping values—indicating nonlinear geometry–hydrodynamic interactions. The BEM results informed geometry selection for scaled physical testing at Michigan Technological University’s wave tank, enabling targeted evaluation of frequency response and system identification under controlled regular, irregular, and multisine wave conditions. These experimental findings will support the integration of the BEM-informed VOSWEC models into WEC-Sim for time-domain performance analysis in both scaled and realistic Lake Superior wave conditions. The outcomes of this research aim to advance understanding of geometry-dependent performance in coastal-integrated WECs, providing a hydrodynamic basis for design optimization and contributing to the broader deployment of MRE technologies for both power generation and shoreline protection.